FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 1020 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Under Section 61 of Republic Act No. 6975, otherwise known as the "Department 
of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990", the supervision and control over jails 
are lodged in different entities. City ,and municipal jails are governed by the Bureau of 
Jail Management and Penology. On the other hand, provincial jails are under the 
supervision and control of the provincial government. 
It appears that provincial jails which are directly under the supervision and control 
of the provincial government have better facilities and are better managed as compared 
to that of the city and municipal jails. On the contrary, there are reports that city and 
municipal jails are overcrowded, Inmates must sleep on their feet and often go hungry. 
Food rations are so meager that some prison wardens reportedly allowed wives or 
children to move with inmates or stay in the prison compound because they could help 
feed prisoners, while lack of potable water and poor ventilation continued to cause 
health problems. In sum, the present jail conditions has led to other problems like the 
spread of disease among inmates, jail breaks and sanitation problems, which will 
eventually affect the locality wherein the jail is situated. 
It is believed that the interest of the prisoners and detainees as well as that of the 
locality shall be better served if the city and municipal jails are placed under the direct 
supervision and control of the local government units concerned. A well-managed, 
secured clean, adequately equipped and sanitary jail will render the process of 
rehabilitation of offenders a lot easier. 
This measure seeks to create a Jail Management and Penology Office in every 
Province, City, and Municipality directly under the control and supervision of the local 
chief executive, thereby transferring ,the power of supervision and control over city and 
municipal jails presently exercised by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology to 
the local chief executive concerned. Under the proposed measure, the funds already 
allocated for the operation and maintenance of city and municipal jails shall be 
transferred to the local government units. 
Thereafter, the budgetary requirements shall be included in the annual 
appropriation of the local government units. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
c;;><:»" ~ 
MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPID 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 1020 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
DEVOLVING THE SUPERVISION AND CONTROL OVER CITY AND 
MUNICIPAL JAILS FROM THE BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND 
PENOLOGY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
.Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 
1. 
There shall be a Jail Management and Penology Office, 
hereinafter referred to as the Jail Office, in every Province, City, and Municipality 
consisting of officers and members ,of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology 
(BJMP) provided under Republic Act No. 6975, otherwise known as the 'Department of 
the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990". 
SEC. 2. 
Supervision and Control. - The Chief Executive of the local 
government unit concerned shall exercise direct supervision and control over the Office 
and the jails within its jurisdiction. The Secretary of the Interior and Local Government 
shall formulate the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the Office as well as 
the disciplinary machinery for officers and men of the Office in accordance with existing 
laws. 
SEC. 3. 
Fund Allocation. - The funds already allocated for the operation of 
the City and Municipal Jails shall be transferred from the BJMP to the local government 
units upon the effectivity of this Act. Thereafter, the funds necessary for the 
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual budget of the local 
government unit concerned. 
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SEC. 4. 
Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any provision of this Act 
is declared unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which are not 
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SEC. 5. 
Repealing Clau$e. - The provisions of Republic Act No. 6975 and 
other laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or portions thereof, inconsistent with 
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 6. 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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