THE Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)–Davao City Chapter has turned over a check in the amount of P254,282 to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) for the construction of a lawyers’ lounge in Davao City jail in Maa.

“A lawyers’ lounge within the jail will ensure privacy of discussions between lawyers and their clients to ensure that the accused understands the charges against him, the purposes of legal proceedings and the remedies,” IBP Davao Chapter President Rogelio Largo said during a flag raising ceremonies at BJMP.

A ground-breaking ceremony followed the check turnover. Subsequently, the IBP and BJMP signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the project.

Largo also shared with host BJMP the other programs of IBP which include assistance to the jail decongestion project.

“There is an expected increase of detainees resulting from the government’s intensified drive against drugs, corruption and criminality,” Largo said.

But there could be some detainees already qualified for release for having served in detention the maximum imposable penalties for the offenses charged against them in court, he explained.

Largo added that IBP is looking forward to doing other programs and projects in collaboration with BJMP, to pursue its mission of assisting in the administration of justice.