Dads nix proposal for charge fee for issuance of detention certificates

 The Baguio City Council has requested the Baguio Jail and Management Penology (BJMP) to amend their proposal seeking to impose a fee on the issuance of detention certificates, taking into account the comments and suggestions given by the councilors.
    Under the proposal, the City Treasury Office shall collect P100.00 for every detention certificate issued by the BJMP. The total funds collected from the issuance of the detention certificate shall accrue to the coffers of the city government. The BJMP shall also report out how many certifications were issued as well as how many were paid and how many fees were waived.

    The certificate of detention is usually requested by families of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs), their lawyers, and their bondsmen.

    JINSP Vilma Fangsilat and J/Supt. Mary Ann Ollaging-Tresmanio attended the council session last Monday in response to the invitation of the city council. 

    According to Fangsilat and Tresmanio, it is the intention of the BJMP to help the city government increase its revenue by imposing a fee on the issuance of detention certificates. However, indigent PDLs shall be exempted from paying the said fee, they added. 

    As per BJMP records, a total of 105 detention certificates have already been issued from 2021 to present.

    Fangsilat cited Section 447.5.xv or Republic Act No. 7160 or the the Local Government Code of 1991 which provides that the LGU shall “establish and provide for the maintenance and improvement of jails and detention center, institute jail management programs, and appropriate funds for detainees and convicted prisoners in the city.”

    Section 153 of the Act states that the LGUs may impose and collect such reasonable fees and charges for services rendered. 

    However, Councilors Arthur Allad-iw and Betty Lourdes Tabanda disagreed with the proposed fee.

    Tabanda pointed out that many PDLs cannot afford to pay the bail, thus, charging them a fee for the issuance of their detention certificates will only add burden to them and their families.

    Tabanda also raised some data privacy issues in relation to the issuance of detention certificates.

    Meanwhile, Allad-iw urged the BJMP to craft proposals that are more practical and beneficial.

    “You might as well consider making an ordinance that improves your services [for PDLs] instead of imposing fees,” Allad-iw stated.

    Fangsilat and Tresmanio said they will amend their proposal, taking into consideration the observations raised by the council members. -Jordan G. Habbiling