Jail Integration Act

SENATE Office of the socialat TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session AUG 27 P1:29 SENATE RECEIVED BY: 1273 S. No. - Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT TRANSFERRING THE CONTROL AND SUPERVISION OF THE PROVINCIAL AND SUB-PROVINCIAL JAILS TO THE BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 11 of Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that "[t]he State values

the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights." Meanwhile, Section 19 (1) of the Bill of Rights states that "excessive fines shall not be imposed, nor cruel, degrading, or inhuman punishment inflicted." In December 2023, Philippine authorities in the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) declared that the country ranked third in the world for jail and prison overcrowding, having the eleventh highest prison population in the world. In April 2025, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) reported that the country's jails are now 298% congested, with 484 jails across the country holding a total of 115,791 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). These PDLs are subjected to inhumane living conditions compounded by insufficient medical and rehabilitative infrastructure, understaffed facilities, and inadequate sources of daily needs— conditions that infringe upon their constitutionally mandated right to humane treatment. This measure seeks to rectify these systemic deficiencies by vesting the BJMP with comprehensive jurisdiction over all provincial and provincial jails, consolidating all local detention facilities under uniform national standards. This bill aims to ensure that

PDLs receive professional care from an agency specializing in custodial care and rehabilitation. Therefore, urgent approval of this bill is earnestly sought. MARK A. VILLAR ROC

Scint: TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE emier of the scrap REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 AUG 27 P1:29 SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No. 1273 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT TRANSFERRING THE CONTROL AND SUPERVISION OF THE PROVINCIAL AND SUB-PROVINCIAL JAILS TO THE BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Jail Integration Act".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote the

3 general welfare and safeguard the basic rights of persons deprived of liberty. Further, 4 the State recognizes the responsibility of the State to strengthen government 5 capability aimed towards the strengthening of the delivery of basic services to the 6 citizenry through the institutionalization of highly efficient and competent jail services. Toward this end, the State shall provide uniform standards and policies in the 8 administration of jails and the safekeeping of persons deprived of liberty by placing 9 the administration of local jails to a single authority.

Sec. 3. Transfer of Provincial and Sub-Provincial Jail - The control and

supervision over provincial and sub-provincial jail is hereby transferred to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). For this purpose, the management, control, and supervision of existing 14 provincial and sub-provincial jails, including all their property, equipment, and finances, shall be transferred to the BJMP, subject to existing laws.

Sec. 4. Transition Period. - For orderly transfer of management and operation

of provincial and sub-provincial jails, a three (3) year transition period is hereby established, to commence from the date of the effectivity of this Act: Provided, That

1 during the transition period, the concerned Provincial Government shall continue 2 funding the subsistence allowance of inmates and the maintenance of jail facility 3 including but not limited to electric and water expenses and necessary repairs until 4 such time that the total and full control and supervision of the facility has been transferred to the BJMP.

Sec. 5. Provincial and Sub-Provincial Jail Employees. - The existing employees

and personnel of Provincial and Sub-Provincial Jails shall enjoy security of tenure and 8 shall automatically be absorbed by the BJMP subject to the qualification standards as provided for in Republic Act No. 9263 or o the "Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Professionalization Act of 2004", as amended, and other applicable laws, pertinent rules and regulation of the Civil Service Commission (CSC): Provided, That those who will fail to comply with the qualification standards at the time of transfer shall be given five (5) years from the lapse of the transition period as provided in this Act to complete the necessary requirements for the concerned position: Provided, further, That for purposes of computation of retirement and pension benefits, the term "active service" shall include services rendered by employees affected in the provincial and sub-provincial jail prior to the enactment of this Act: Provided, finally, That the Provincial Government is hereby encouraged to automatically absorb those employees who have already reached the mandatory retirement age in BJMP at the time of effectivity. Employees opting to be separated from the service as a result of the transfer under the provisions of this Act shall receive separation benefits in accordance with existing laws. In addition, those who are qualified to retire shall be allowed to do so and be entitled to all benefits provided for under existing retirement laws.

Sec. 6. Appropriations. - The initial amount necessary for the implementation

of this Act shall be charged against the current fiscal year's appropriations of the BJMP and the concerned provincial government. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of the Interior

and Local Government and BJMP, in coordination with the Provincial Governments, CSC, and other stakeholders, shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this

1 Act, promulgate the rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared

4 unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force or effect.

Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - Sections 61, 62, and 63 of Republic Act No. 6975,

or the "Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990", as amended, are hereby amended or modified accordingly. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,