Physiotherapy facility put up for PDLs in Zamboanga City

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has launched its first physiotherapy facility for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in the Zamboanga City Jail. 

In an interview on BP Ngayon, Jail Superintendent Xavier Solda said the facility has one licensed physical therapist and nurse who is catering to seven patients.

“Sa kasalukuyan basic equipment pa lang yung meron doon as facility namin, yung tinatawag na parallel park kung saan nag lalakad yung mga pasyente. Merong ‘yun, hindi ko alam ‘yung technical na tawag, pero parang kinukuryente yung mga muscles para maging aktibo ulit,” he said.

(Right now, the facility has basic equipment. The so-called parallel park where patients can walk. There’s also—I don’t know the technical term—the device that sends electricity to the muscles to make them active again.)  

Solda said the BJMP pushed for the facility to promote the rights of PDLs.

“Prioridad talaga ng BJMP na mabigyan ng magandang serbisyong medikal ‘yung ating mga PDL. Kawawa talaga kasi kapag congested lalo ang isang facility,” Solda said.

(The BJMP prioritizes giving good medical service to PDLs. Because they’re to be pitied, especially when a facility is congested.)

Aside from this, he said they are also pushing for jail decongestion at the Zamboanga City Jail.

“Well, nakatutok kami sa jail decongestion at sa health sa Zamboanga City Jail. When it comes to jail decongestion, ka-partner namin ‘yung Zamboanga Justice Zone,” he said.

(We focus on jail decongestion and health at the Zamboanga City Jail. When it comes to jail decongestion, we are partners with the Zamboanga Justice Zone.)

“Lahat kami umuupo. Pinag tutulungan namin at nag uusap kami kung papaano namin pabibilisin no yung pag pro-proseso ‘yung kaso ng mga PDL,” he added.

(We all sit down. We all work together and we coordinate on how we can speed up the cases of the PDLs.) —NB, GMA Integrated News