San Jose District Jail (SJDJ) in Occidental Mindoro was recognized as the third-best district jail in the Mimaropa region during the recent Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Regional Warden’s Meeting for the first quarter of 2023.

The jail facility also received several awards in different categories, including Best STAR team, Best Eco-Jail Program Implementer, Best in the Conduct of Drug Testing for Person Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) and BJMP Personnel, Best in the Conduct of Joint Greyhound Operations, and Best in the Conduct of Livelihood Programs.

Jail Senior Insp. Bryan Ian Paul A. Rañada, SJDJ Jail Warden, expressed gratitude for the recognition and vowed to continue their efforts in providing better service to the PDLs and their families.

“May mga [kino-conceptualize] na bagong program na makakatulong [sa mga PDLs] at even pati ‘yung mga [nakalaya na],” Rañada said.

The jail recorded 184 welfare development activities in Q1, including Alternative Learning System (ALS) programs, skills enhancement, values restoration programs, religious activities, and livelihood programs in partnership with various government agencies and non-government organizations. These activities benefited 176 PDLs.

SJDJ personnel also received awards during the BJMP Regional Warden’s Meeting, including JO2 Archie G. Familiara for Best Therapeutic Community Modality Program Implementer, JO1 Bennis Jhon S. Bartolo for Best Paralegal Officer, and JO1 Gwen Garnet Gallego as Best Human Rights Action Officer. SJDJ Warden Rañada was also recognized as the third-best district warden in the region.

The BJMP is a government agency tasked with administering the Philippine jail system, ensuring the protection of the rights and welfare of persons deprived of liberty, and promoting their reformation and rehabilitation.