CHR backs appeal for detainees’ food, medical allowance hike

 

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human (CHR) on Saturday urged lawmakers to grant the appeal of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to increase the food and medical allowance of for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). 

BJMP chief Jail Director Ruel Rivera on Thursday asked the House appropriations panel on budget deliberations for a P100 meal allowance and P30 medical allowance for PDLs.

 “The CHR respectfully urges our legislators to consider BJMP’s appeal. After all, the Commission believes we share the same goal: to ensure humane conditions and adequate resources for the reformation of our PDLs, as well as to treat them with dignity and respect,” said CHR in a statement.

CHR noted that the current food and medical allowances for PDLs remain unchanged since 2022 “despite the ongoing economic challenges” where PDLs are only allocated P70 meal allowance per day while the daily medical allowance amounts to P15. 

The CHR likewise pointed out that the government should conform to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) where Article 10 (Part III) states that “all persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.” 

Article 10 also mandates that “the penitentiary system shall comprise treatment of prisoners the essential aim of which shall be their reformation and social rehabilitation.”

 “As a State Party to the ICCPR, the Commission emphasizes that the State has an obligation to adhere to these international standards and fully respect the rights of all individuals, including PDLs. This responsibility entails providing sufficient funds for their basic food and medical needs,” added CHR.

The House of Representatives on July 29 received the P6.352 trillion national budget proposal for 2025, which is a 10.1 percent increase than the P5.768 trillion national budget in 2024. 

P2.12 trillion or 33.4 percent is allocated for social services, P1.85 trillion or 29.2 percent for economic services,  P1.08 trillion or 17 percent for general public services, P876.7 billion or 13.7 percent for debt services and P419.3 billion or 6.6 percent for defense.