DOJ, DILG push for digital records to speed up processes

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. are pushing for the digitization of records in their departments to streamline information and fast-track processes related to the country’s justice system.

Remulla pointed out that digitizing records would speed up the processing of the release of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), which will eventually help decongest detention facilities.

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) have congestion rates of 330 percent and 387 percent, respectively.

According to the Commission on Audit, 337 out of 474 jail facilities are heavily congested, resulting in unhealthy living conditions for PDLs.

READ: Commission on Audit flags congested PH jails 

“Sa BuCor, we are pushing for [digitization]. To do it double time,” Remulla said during a press conference at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Thursday.

He then added, “It’s a new way of doing things that people have to get used to, but it’s the only that we can really make everything more visible online for the Board of Pardons and Paroles, and the Parole and Pardon Administration, mas marami talagang mapa-process (we’ll be able to process more people). We’re pushing for this.”

Remulla even disclosed that he has already asked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to designate an assistant secretary for digital infrastructure at the DOJ, who will be tasked to streamline information being processed from prosecution to correction.

Abalos echoed the need for digitization in the BuCor and the BJMP “to harmonize the records of both.”

“On the part of the DILG, digitization is very, very important not only on the issue, of course, of jail but also on the ease of doing business,” he said.

Like Remulla, Abalos also hopes to have an undersecretary for digitizing various aspects of local government units.

He said he has since sought the help of the Department of Information and Communications Technology secretary for this digitization initiative.

RELATED STORIES: 

Remulla targets LRA, BI, BuCor for ‘reform’ and ‘cleansing’

DOJ to review murder raps vs 22 cops in Bilibid deaths 

JPV/abc