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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19th CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  ____ 
_________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by REP. BERNADETTE “DETTE” G. ESCUDERO 
_________________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Establishing a national standard for the operational management of all local jails, spanning 
provincial, sub-provincial, district, city, and municipal facilities, is crucial for safeguarding the basic 
and constitutional rights of our inmates serving their sentence. These standards not only guarantee 
consistency but also enhance the efficiency of rehabilitation programs tailored to their needs. 
Currently, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) oversees city, municipal, 
and district jails, while provincial and sub-provincial facilities remain under the jurisdiction of their 
respective provincial governments as mandated by Republic Act No. 6975 or the Department of the 
Interior and Local Government Act of 1990. This division results in a lack of standardized policies for 
jail management and administration. 
Hence, this bill aims to integrate provincial and sub-provincial jails into the purview of the 
BJMP, establishing a unified national standard for managing all local jail facilities. By doing so, it not 
only ensures consistency in jail administration policies but also relieves provincial governments of 
the burden of direct supervision. 
The persistent reintroduction of this bill across three consecutive congresses underscores its 
necessity and importance. Notably, the Senate has already passed this bill on its third and final 
reading this 19th Congress.  
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 BERNADETTE “DETTE” G. ESCUDERO 
10412
May 14, 2024
5:49 pm


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19th CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  ____ 
_________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by REP. BERNADETTE “DETTE” G. ESCUDERO 
_________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
TRANSFERRING THE CONTROL AND SUPERVISION OF THE PROVINCIAL AND 
SUB-PROVINCIAL JAILS TO THE BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND 
PENOLOGY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Jail Integration Act." 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote the 
general welfare and safeguard the basic rights of persons deprived of liberty. Further, 
the State recognizes the responsibility of the State to strengthen the government 
capability aimed toward the strengthening of the delivery of basic services to the 
citizenry through the institutionalization of highly efficient and competent jail services. 
Toward this end, the State shall provide uniform standards and policies in the 
administration of jails and the safekeeping of persons deprived of liberty by placing 
the administration of local jails to a single authority. 
Sec. 3. Transfer of Provincial and Sub-Provincial Jail. - The control and 
supervision over provincial and sub-provincial jail is hereby transferred to the Bureau 
of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).  
For this purpose, the management, control, and supervision of existing 
provincial and sub-provincial jails, including all its property, equipment, and finances, 
shall be transferred to the BJMP, subject to existing laws. 
Sec. 4. Transition Period. - For orderly transfer of management and operation 
of provincial and sub-provincial jails, a three (3) year transition period is hereby 
established, to commence from the date of the effectivity of this Act: Provided, That 
during the transition period, the concerned Provincial Government shall continue 
funding the subsistence allowance of inmates and the maintenance of jail facility 
including but not limited to, electric and water expenses and necessary repairs until 
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such time that the total and full control and supervision of the facility has been 
transferred to the BJMP. 
 
Sec. 5. Provincial and Sub-Provincial Jail Employees. - The existing employees 
and personnel of Provincial and Sub-Provincial Jails shall enjoy security of tenure and 
shall automatically be absorbed by the BJMP subject to the qualification standards as 
provided for in Republic Act No. 9263, otherwise known as the "Bureau of Fire 
Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Professionalization Act of 
2004", as amended and other applicable laws, pertinent rules and regulations of the 
Civil Service Commission (CSC): Provided, That those who will fail to comply with the 
qualification standards at the time of transfer shall be given five (5) years from the 
lapse of the transition period as provided in this Act to complete the necessary 
requirements for the concerned position: Provided, further, That for purposes of 
computation of retirement and pension benefits, the term "active service" shall include 
services rendered by employees affected in the provincial and sub-provincial jail prior 
to the enactment of this Act: Provided, finally, That the Provincial Government is 
hereby encouraged to automatically absorb those employees who have already 
reached the mandatory retirement age in BJMP at the time of effectivity. 
 
Employees opting to be separated from the service as a result of the transfer 
under the provisions of this Act shall receive separation benefits in accordance with 
existing laws. In addition, those who are qualified to retire shall be allowed to do so 
and be entitled to all benefits provided for under existing retirement laws. 
 
Sec. 6. Appropriations. -The initial amount necessary for the implementation of this Act 
shall be charged against the current fiscal year's appropriations of BJMP and 
concerned provincial government. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the 
continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
 
Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -The Department of the Interior 
and Local Government and BJMP, in coordination with the Provincial Governments, 
Civil Service Commission, and other stakeholders, shall within sixty (60) days from  
the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the rules and regulations to effectively implement  
the provisions of this Act. 
 
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall 
remain in full force or effect. 
 
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - Sections 61, 62 and 63 of Republic Act No. 6975, 
otherwise known as the "Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 
1990", as amended, are hereby amended or modified accordingly. Any law, presidential 
decree or issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or 


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modified accordingly. 
 
Sec. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved.