The Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) expressed favor to Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno´s offer to use a city-owned three-storey facility to house persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

“City DILG Director Jane Docallos and I exchanged messages with Regional DILG Director Arnel Agabe last Tuesday evening (Aug. 11) on the city´s proposal and Agabe said he will follow it up with Interior and Local Governments Secretary Eduardo Año. Secretary Año initially favored the proposal but he wanted to have some issues clarified (and he later agreed),” Mayor Moreno said during Wednesday noon´s (Aug. 12) press briefing.

Still, Mayor Moreno said the other stakeholders like the police should do their part to fast-track the investigation into charges against the PDLs to avoid detaining them far longer than necessary.

“(Also) the slow, delayed processing of inquest (proceedings) contributed to the problem (of jail congestion). That´s a sign of negligence and it´s not reassuring,” Mayor Moreno said.

Cagayan de Oro City Hall under the Moreno administration built a three-storey building inside the Lumbia City Jail that includes an infirmary to treat ailing inmates. The Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) earlier requested the City Health Office for a temporary holding area for PDLs as a preventive measure against COVID-19.

Mayor Moreno said he instructed the City Health Office to institute measures that will protect the health of the PDLs.

“We have to strategize on what steps to take. (CHO resident epidemiologist) Dr. (Teodulfo Joselito) Retuya will decide on what these measures will be. What´s important is we prevent COVID-19 from entering the facility and infecting the PDLs,” Mayor Moreno said.