Detainees at the Negros Oriental Detention and Rehabilitation Center were restless after being told by their provincial warden last week, his request for a budget of P1.9 million for their food consumption was held in abeyance pending a thorough review by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

However, the provincial board approved Monday the governor's request for the passage of Supplemental Budget No. 8 of the general fund proper totaling P2.54 million for various purposes, one of which is the budget for food needs at the provincial jail from August to December this year of P1,910,725.

Provincial jail warden Regulo Getalan, said some detainees have started to question the provincial government's ability to feed them at a measly sum of P46.69 per day per inmate. He thanked the provincial board for allocating the funds needed.

Getalan said this year's budget for food at the provincial jail is P4,320,000 for 250 inmates only or at an average of P400,000 per month.

However, the present count is now at 383 detainees lumped in a 150-bed capacity facility, and so, for two months, September and October, the jail was forced to open a credit line. Daily consumption is three-and-a-half sacks of NFA rice with about 80 kilos of fish, dozens of eggs, milk and vegetables, Gatalan said.

Of the 383 inmates, 228 are detention prisoners, 18 are female and 140 are scheduled for shipment to the National Penitentiary in Muntinlupa, which is also held pending due to lack of funds.

Each inmate and his escort will need P12,000 to P15,000.

Regional Trial Court Branch 30 presiding Judge Rafael Crescencio Tan Jr. had earlier recommended that warden Getalan submit a budget for next year that will include costing for the shipment of the 140 convicted prisoners.

The proposed budget of the jail for next year is P21,746,075.14, the bulk of which goes to personnel services at P11 million for 50 jail guards including job orders, another P10 million for the maintenance and other operating expenses that include fuel, medicines, P6.3 million for food and P100,000 as capital outlay.*JG

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