Zambales will soon have its own district jail after the provincial government forged an agreement with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
Currently, there is no dedicated Zambales District Jail. The existing jail services are being handled by the Olongapo District Jail-Male and Female Dormitories located along Rizal Street, Barangay Barretto in Olongapo City.
The agreement, a Deed of Usufruct grants the use of a parcel of provincial land at Sitio Buen, Barangay Mambog in Botolan town for the construction of the proposed Zambales District Jail.
It allows BJMP to utilize a 12,950-square-meter area for the project.
The proposed facility is envisioned to serve Persons Deprived of Liberty across the province, particularly those under the jurisdiction of the Regional Trial Court of Iba in the 2nd congressional district.
“This Deed of Usufruct is a testament to the compassion of our local government for the welfare of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) and the entire criminal justice system. Granting land use through a Deed of Usufruct is a truly humane step, as it recognizes the need for a proper, safe, and dignified facility for our PDLs here in Zambales,” said BJMP Regional Director Jail Chief Superintendent Paulino Moreno, Jr.