TACLOBAN CITY – Governor Carlos Jericho “Icot” Petilla and the provincial government of Leyte heeded to the appeal for the immediate rehabilitation of the sub-provincial jail in Ormoc City.

Earlier, Atty. Clinton Nuevo of RTC 8 th Judicial Region in Ormoc City wrote a letter to the governor, informing him of what he described as a prison facility with “sub-human conditions.” He said that the sub-provincial jail is not only in serious need of repair but practically unfit for a decent or humane occupancy.

He added that while they do not expect nor seek the prisoners to receive special accommodations…yet “our ordinary sense of justice and decency compel us into making the strong appeal in their behalf.”

This has prompted Gov. Petilla to undertake immediate rehabilitation after assessment of the dilapidated prison facility. Among the works undertaken at the Ormoc sub-provincial jail are the reconstruction and completion of roofing, ceiling and the construction of additional cell with comfort room.

PG2 Ludivico E. Zata, officer in charge of the Ormoc sub-provincial jail, reported that with the overall makeover of the prison facility and construction of additional detention cell, congestion and other related concerns will no longer be a problem.

The rehabilitated facility has now become more like a “safe” home ensuring the safety of the 85 detainees, he said.

Similar observations were brought about by the International Red Cross and the DSWD Representatives Regional Office 8. The congestion problem, had it been further prolonged, would have been a serious threat to the safety, security, and the health conditions of the detainees as well as the employees there, they said.

The Ormoc sub-provincial jail serves as detention facility for inmates coming from the towns of Kananga, Matag-ob, Isabel, and Merida. The charges of these detainees are still being heard at the Regional Trial Court in Ormoc City.