THE female dormitory of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Mandaue City is expected to relocate this year to a new site in Sitio Dungguan, Barangay Basak.
This is a long-awaited move meant to address the worsening overcrowding and living conditions in the existing facility in Barangay Looc.
BJMP Mandaue Female Dormitory Warden Shela Serrano said the current jail was originally built to hold just 22 individuals, but now accommodates 94 female persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), resulting in a staggering congestion rate of 380 percent.
“About 80 percent of our female PDLs are facing drug-related cases,” Serrano said.
She added that such high numbers have pushed the facility to its limits, with inmates often suffering from limited access to proper sanitation, personal space and rehabilitation services.
While the relocation is expected to happen this 2025, Serrano said she could not yet commit to a specific date as the facility is still awaiting the completion of essential infrastructure.
The new jail, funded by the Mandaue City Government, is nearing completion, with the final major task being the construction of a trench drainage system.
This will support the site’s embankment and help mitigate the persistent threat of flooding in the area.
The new dormitory features a four-in-one building setup, with four cells capable of accommodating up to 42 female PDLs.
Despite an expected 148 percent congestion rate upon transfer — still over capacity — the new site represents a major improvement over the current situation.
“With the larger space and better facilities, we can at least provide safer, more humane conditions and strengthen our delivery of rehabilitation and support services,” Serrano said.
Budget
The relocation site also includes a P35-million administrative building that’s being constructed under the office of Mandaue City Lone District Rep. Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon.
While this building remains under construction, BJMP personnel will temporarily convert two of the dormitory cells into makeshift administrative offices to proceed with operations.
Additionally, a P10-million embankment project funded by the City Government is underway to raise the elevation of the jail site and ensure it remains flood-resistant.
As for the old jail facility in Barangay Looc, Serrano said this will be turned over to the City Government after the transfer.
She said the outgoing administration of Mandaue previously intended to use the site to house the Mandaue City College. Serrano has no updates on the current plans for the facility.
Serrano remains optimistic that once remaining works are completed, the female dormitory will finally move into a more dignified and secure space, an improvement long overdue for the women who have endured years of overcrowding and under-resourced jail conditions. / CAV