FOR two weeks now, the Lapu-Lapu City Jail (LCJ) has had no power supply after three overloaded transformers exploded last March 3.
LCJ Warden Julius Arro said some of their operations were affected, but not their security routine in the facility.
Most inmates have had to improvise to cope with the situation, using fans to cool themselves in the morning and lighting candles at night.
Arro said several inmates fell sick because of the intense heat, so he allowed some of them to sleep in the basketball court. The jail, which was built to accommodate 800 inmates, now has 2,400 inmates.
The Trigger company, a neighboring establishment, provided the jail with power supply at night so they can switch on some lights to help jail guards prevent possible escape attempts.
Arro said they have to pay Mactan Electric Company (Meco) around P1 million for the repair of the transformers and laborers’ fees. The jail has an unpaid bill amounting to P500,000.
The jail official sought the help of the Lapu-Lapu City Government to settle the bill.
For her part, Mayor Paz Radaza said City Hall will shoulder the expenses using the P20.7 million that the City Government set aside for LCJ’s operations this year, including the inmates’ food.
Radaza called on Meco to restore power supply at the jail as soon as possible. (From FMD of SuperBalita Cebu, KAL)