BJMP-NIR, NFA partner to ensure PDLs’ rice supply

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology–Negros Island Region (BJMP-NIR) has strengthened its partnership with the National Food Authority (NFA) in Western and Central Visayas to ensure the uninterrupted supply of quality rice for 7,700 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

Jail Chief Supt. Brendan Fulgencio, BJMP-NIR director, signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Jasmin Lintag, regional manager II of NFA-6, and Ovelito Baritua, acting regional manager II of NFA-7.

The ceremonial MOA signing was held Wednesday at the BJMP-NIR office in Barangay Singcang-Airport.

According to the BJMP, the agreement is a key step toward enhancing food security and promoting the welfare of PDLs.

Rice is sourced from local farmers for inmates under the bureau’s care.

Lintag and Baritua affirmed the NFA’s commitment to supporting the BJMP-NIR, highlighting the dual benefit of ensuring food supply in detention centers while supporting Filipino farmers by prioritizing local produce.

“As part of my programs on transparency and good governance, we partnered with the NFA to ensure the efficient and continuous provision of quality sustenance for our PDLs,” Fulgencio said in a statement.

The MOA signing signals the start of a long-term collaboration between the NFA and BJMP-NIR to promote human dignity through responsible governance and community-driven support.

Jail Senior Insp. Juniven Umadhay, chief of BJMP-NIR’s legal service section, said in a phone interview Thursday that the regional office initiated the move to address the high demand for NFA rice and prevent supply disruptions.

He said the agreement aims to cover all PDLs in the region, including those in Negros Occidental, Bacolod City, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.

Although the NFA primarily prioritizes supply during calamities and emergencies, Umadhay said the MOA guarantees rice allocations for PDLs.

Umadhay added that the daily food budget per PDL is PHP65, though he did not provide figures for the total rice purchased from the NFA.

He said the regional office and its food committee oversee food consumption to maintain stability and quality.

BJMP-NIR oversees 32 jails—21 in Negros Occidental, 10 in Negros Oriental, and one in Siquijor.