An inmate in Ilocos Sur provincial jail gets a COVID-19 jab. At least 163 persons deprived of liberty have received at least one dose of the vaccine so far in the provincial jail facility. (Photo courtesy of Ilocos Sur provincial jail)
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has vaccinated 94% of its general population against the COVID-19 virus, said the bureau’s spokesperson Jail Supt. Xavier Solda on Thursday.
In an interview on Teleradyo, Solda was asked about the health conditions of persons deprived of liberty (PDL), specifically the vaccination rate.
“Actually as of this day, nasa around 94% yung total general population na fully vaccinated na, nasa kalahati na rin kami sa pamimigay ng booster, at mayroon na rin nabibigyan ng second booster. So hindi po nasasayang yung bakuna para sa mga PDL natin,” said Solda.
(Actually, as of this day, around 94% of the total general population are fully vaccinated, and half of them are given boosters, while there are also those being given a second booster. So the vaccines for the PDLs are not going to waste).
Solda said that the PDLs are “very willing” to get vaccinated. He also explained that those in the BJMP are still presumed innocent until their trial is decided, so there is always the possibility that they may be released from detention.
“Hindi pa napatunayan na may sala, anytime, kapag nag-issue na ang korte ng order na ma-acquit halimbawa sila, babalik po ito sa kanilang respective communities. Ayaw po natin na maging cause of concern sila kaya sa jail palang, pinababakunahan na sila ng BJMP,” stated Solda.
(They have not been proven to have been at fault, so if the court issues an order to acquit them, they will return to their respective communities. We do not want them to be a cause of concern, so the BJMP vaccinates them in jail.)
The 94% vaccination rate increased from 91% the previous month.