The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) had cited the continuing efforts of Mayor Celso Lobregat and the city government to promote the welfare of the inmates and the personnel of the Zamboanga City Reformatory Center.

The Bureau recently conferred on Mayor Lobregat a plaque of appreciation, commending the chief executive for his “steadfast support and profound concern extended to the inmates and the personnel of the Zamboanga City Jail”.

Signed by BJMP Regional Director Jail Chief Supt. Deogracias Tapayan, the plaque emphasized that the mayor’s initiative of constructing a 2-storey building “helped in the decongestion program of the Bureau and by increasing the allowances of the Zamboanga City BJMP personnel which greatly contributed to the realization of BJMP’s mission in providing more humane and efficient safekeeping and development of inmates”.

The plaque of appreciation was presented to Mayor Lobregat Tuesday morning by City Jail warden Col. Ester Pepito during the flag raising ceremony in front of City Hall.

Mayor Lobregat failed to attend the BJMP awarding ceremony held in Dipolog City last August 20, thus, the presentation yesterday morning.

For his part, Mayor Lobregat vowed that the city’s support and assistance to the BJMP and as well as the police and the military will continue in his third term in a bid to promote public safety.

Costing P4.6 million, the detention cell with water tank was one of the major projects implemented by the Lobregat administration in 2009.

Other than infrastructures, the mayor also continuously implements the grant of allowances to uniformed personnel.

Because of financial management and strong fiscal condition, the P200 monthly allowance that the jail guards together with the police, firemen and aviation security, have been receiving for 11 years (1995 to 2006) was increased to P300 in 2007 to P500 in 2009 and P700 in 2010. In a matter of four (4) years, the appropriations for the monthly allowance increased six-fold from P2.056 million in 1995-2006 to P12.104 million in 2010 due to the increase in allowances and in the number of personnel. Starting July this year, the allowance has been increased to P1,000 per personnel.

Based on record, a total of 94 BJMP personnel are benefitting from the allowances given by the city government.