SP Approves Ordinance Prohibiting Contrabands in LU Jails
By: Rhea Matilde A. Ballesteros, GPC–SP | Photo By: Mark Andrew G. Sanchez, SP | Date: September 15, 2020
The 22nd Sangguniang Panlalawigan approves on third and final reading the Ordinance Prohibiting Sneaking-in or Smuggling of Contrabands in Detention Facilities, Jails, Reformatory Centers, Halfway Houses and Shelters during its 64th Regular Session on September 15, 2020 held at the SP Session Hall, Provincial Capitol, City of San Fernando, La Union. The ordinance aimed to eradicate prohibited items being snitched inside jails and other similar facilities and to ensure the safety of individuals, persons deprived of liberties, center or facility officers, staff and workers through heightened security in these facilities.
With 13 unanimous affirmative votes and no dissenting vote, Ordinance Prohibiting Sneaking-in or Smuggling of Contrabands in Detention Facilities, Jails, Reformatory Centers, Halfway Houses and Shelters was approved on third and final reading during the 64th Regular Session of the 22nd Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) on September 15, 2020.
SPM Maria Annabelle S. de Guzman, principal author of the said ordinance said during the series of committee hearings and public hearing that the ordinance aims to eradicate prohibited items being snitched inside jails and other similar facilities and to ensure the safety of individuals, persons deprived of liberties, center or facility officers, staff and workers through heightened security in these facilities.
The ordinance prohibits the sneaking-in of dangerous drugs and paraphernalia, and other items such as but not limited to alcoholic beverages, cellular and mobile phones, video or still camera, cigarettes, paper clip, cutter, sex toys, pornographic materials, tattoo instruments, gambling paraphernalia, pointed and sharpened objects such as barbeque sticks, metal spoons and forks; petroleum jelly, lighters, syringe, shaver, excessive quantity of medicines, excessive amount of money, more than P2,000.00 pesos, unnecessary electric appliances, and clothes in excess of what is allowed.
Any person/s caught violating this ordinance will be fined P5,000.00 for the first offense. For the second offense and succeeding offenses, the individual will be fined P5,000.00 or imprisonment of not more than one year or both in the discretion of the court.
Likewise, personnel of detention facilities, jails, reformatory centers, halfway houses and shelters who, through negligence or through connivance with visitors, caused the entry of contrabands, shall be charged administratively and criminally under existing applicable national laws.
With the enactment of this ordinance, it is hoped that peace, order, security and safety in the province will be maintained and the comfort and convenience of the people will be preserved, especially in curbing the proliferation of prohibited drugs and reduction of criminality, thus, making La Union a province worth living in.
