The Bacolod City Council has passed a resolution calling on Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez to purchase generator sets for two local jail facilities. The resolution targets the Metro Bacolod District Jail in Barangay Singcang-Airport and the Metro Bacolod District Jail Annex in Barangay Handumanan.
Councilor Psyche Marie Sy, who heads the City Council’s committee on police matters, authored the resolution. She highlighted the critical role of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in managing the safety and welfare of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) and jail personnel.
Sy stressed that the two BJMP facilities urgently need generator sets to maintain essential operations, particularly lighting, during power outages. She warned that unstable power supply could jeopardize the safety of PDLs, staff, and nearby communities, especially during electrical failures.
A reliable power source, she added, is vital for running security systems, surveillance cameras, communication equipment, and emergency services. These systems are essential for protecting both PDLs and jail personnel.
Sy also noted that purchasing generator sets aligns with the BJMP’s legal duty to uphold security standards and ensure the welfare of those in its custody, as well as the general public.
The resolution now awaits action from Mayor Benitez to address the power supply concerns at the two jail facilities.
