Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY Balungao

District Jail Brgy. Pugaro, Balungao, Pangasinan

Tel #: (075) 583-2377

Website: http//balungaobjmp.blogspot.com Email Address: balungaobjmp@yahoo.com Facebook: balungaobjmp

BALUNGAO DISTRICT JAILS REMARKABLE TRANSFORMATION

-by JO1 Robina V Vergara BDJ CRS Section

What was once a gloomy Jail Facility with a dilapidated Front Receiving Area, a worn down Multi-Purpose Visitors Hall, inmate s cells walls laden with graffiti and spiderwebbed electrical wiring, Balungao District Jail has risen among the shadows of yesteryears to become Region 1s Best District Jail.

The New Wardens Quarters

New Visitors Waiting Shed

But it was not an easy job since the facility is nestled within the poorest of localities.

And there were even talks around the community regarding unruly detainees figuring fights and riots inside. Despite the negative impression, the plan to ultimately transform the jail facility and bring it up to par with those in the urban areas had to push through. Funding was a big problem, if not a major one. Tough as it may seem, the show has to go on. Step by step, BDJ sprouted new facilities like a new visitors waiting shed, a new Administration Office, a Search/ Supply/ Medical Room, an Admissions/ Paralegal/ Human Rights Room and a New Wardens Quarters. The grueling job of pleading to the Local LGUs, NGOs, Religious groups and capable private individuals came in much more easier than it seems. After which came the Tower Sentry Post for a 360 degree Admissions area view of the facility and the BDJ Multi-Purpose Hall, Cooperative Store and Barber/ Beauty Salon, and Visitors Comfort Rooms. Who would have thought that in a just a short span of time, someone not familiar with the area, never knew who to plead to, would start from scratch and through Gods will wore his work clothes and started doing the grubby job of building a reformatory worthy of acclaim. No one but CINSP ROQUE CONSTANTINO A SISON III.

Sison is no amateur when given an impossible task to perform. Upon his assumption as District Jail Warden on the 1st day of January 2012, he said to himself, God, why bring me here? Have I forsaken you that much? After a year and a half, he now knows why. In this span of time, Sison has taken great effort to intensify the Inmates Welfare and Development BDJ Multi-Purpose Hall Programs of the jail. That is why he built the facilities first so as that the IWDP would have a more decent place to be conducted; hence, the BDJ Multi-Purpose Hall came to be. A whole basketball court was also constructed to give free ease to those who want to play ball. He believes that the inmates deserve a livable and conducive place to dwell in temporarily.

In order for a correctional facility to thrive, there should be a give and take relationship between the BDJ personnel and the detainees. The rapport results into a more worthy and trusting atmosphere that is found here at Balungao District Jail. Because of the transformation, the facility gets more visitors, sponsors and donors that have come with the intent of supporting the projects Tower Sentry Post and activities of the jail. Noteworthy are the different service-providers that BDJ is proud of that have spent time and money for the welfare of those deprived of liberty languishing in this institution. Sison as DJW is very keen when it comes to the security aspect of the jail facility. He makes it a point that all areas that are possible risk factors are always in full vision. Through the support of the Mayor of Balungao, Hon. Philipp G. Peralta, a secondary fence was constructed also with the cementing and roofing of the front driveway area and pathways of visitors for a drier walk to the Multi-Purpose Hall when the rainy season sets in.

Visitors Pathway

Cemented & roofed front driveway area and secondary gate and fence

For the inmates Sports and Recreation activities, a whole basketball court was constructed and cemented through the support of the Congresswoman for the 6 th District of Pangasinan, Hon. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas. A Cooperative Store beside a Barber Shop/ Beauty Salon was also constructed for the personal needs of the detainees. Mr. and Mrs. Alfred and Pilar Zschau from Germany donated to BDJ for these purposes.

BDJs New Whole Basketball Court

BDJs Cooperative Store and Barber Shop/ Beauty Salon

Media couldnt get enough of Sison. Wherever he goes he is hounded by the media people just to get a scoop of the upcoming projects that Sison has cooked up for the jail. NACOCOW was an activity that gained media mileage. From GMA 10-Dagupan to the different Newspapers in the region, the developmental projects and activities of Sison become sure winners.

Interview with GMA-Dagupan

Interview with UNTV-Manila

Interview with DZRD correspondents

As part of Sison thrust for Humane Safekeeping and Development, Sison does all that he can to uplift the living conditions of the detainees in the facility. He asked the help of GMAKapuso Foundation through their Directress, Ms. Mel Tiangco for basic needs of the detainees. The support was granted and made possible by GMA-Dagupan which covered the gift-giving event.

Gift giving of basic needs by the GMA Kapuso Foundation

Donation of musical instruments from CCRM Pozzorubio

Feeding Programs

Donation of Basic Needs

As a recipient for countless awards in the Regional and National Level for Best City Jail Warden and Best City Jail, Sison has indeed proven so much in the line of duty. His name is synonymous to perfection meaning all of his projects and activities are top of the line. And just think of his tremendous feat of turning an old jail of the past into a modernized jail facility. Visitors would stand in awe looking at all the developmental projects he has done. Gone were the days that visiting the jail would be scary thought. Even Jollibee himself decided to show his stuff during the last NACOCOW 2012. The jail facility has become more visitor/ child friendly!

Jollibee at BDJ NACOCOW 2012

Looking back, we see BDJ as a corn kernel just waiting for the oil and the right heat temperature in order to pop. And it did! Amazing as it seems, we see Gods hands working through his worthwhile servant, CINSP ROQUE CONSTANTINO A SISON III. The next time you would enter a jail as pleasant and overwhelming like this, you would smile to find out that Sison is the force behind it.

With the Chief-BJMP CSUPT Diony D Mamaril

With the Deputy Chief_BJMP for Admin and OPNS CSUPT Doris R Dorigo

With the Regional Director 1 SSUPT Emilio C Culang Jr

With the different Local Public Officials