THE European Union through its Governance in Justice Program in the Philippines has allocated 10 million pesos to support justice sector agencies in their response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Thomas Wiersing, chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the European Union Delegation to the Philippines, said part of the package is the 3 million-peso worth of 120 multi-media tablets and personal protective equipment supplies that are being turned over to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
The gadgets and equipment were provided by the GOJUST Program in support of BJMP’s efforts to address the COVID-19 situation in detention facilities.
It also complements other assistance provided by the EU, such as the 50 million-peso in relief distributions to vulnerable communities.
Wiersing said the provision of tablets and personal protective equipment “reaffirms the European Union’s commitment to enable the justice sector to address the needs of the court and penitentiary systems during this pandemic.”
“The success of our efforts to contain and eradicate COVID-19 in compromised facilities and to prevent it from getting into other jail units depend on the support of partners like the European Union, said jail director Allan Iral.
“Our men and women in jails will continue working round the clock, strictly implementing health protocols and guidelines to make sure that our personnel and [persons deprived of liberty] remain protected and safe from the virus,” he added.
The BJMP has reported 716 COVID-19 cases among persons deprived of liberty in five regions of the country.
