The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Mandaue City is preparing to welcome a surge of visitors this Christmas, as it opens its gates for a special holiday reunion. The facility's annual Christmas Open House and Family Day is set for December 24 and 25, 2025, allowing families of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) to spend quality time together during the festive season.
Traditional Holiday Reunion for Detainees and Families
Jail Superintendent and Warden Jessie Gingoyon confirmed that the open house is a long-standing tradition for the Mandaue BJMP. While family visits are a regular occurrence, the Christmas event sees a significant increase in volume. Gingoyon anticipates between 400 to 500 visitors or more across the two-day celebration.
"This is our traditional Christmas activity where families are given leeway to visit their loved ones and spend family time inside the facility," Gingoyon stated. He noted that due to the high number of expected guests, food items may be limited and visiting times could occasionally be restricted to manage resources effectively.
Enhanced Logistics and Visitor Management
To handle the expected influx, the jail management has bolstered its operations. Gingoyon explained that they have strengthened manpower with additional Job Order personnel. A more efficient visitor management system has also been implemented, featuring an ID system and proper logging to speed up the entry process.
"We now have enough human resources, including augmentation from Job Order personnel. We also put in place an ID system and proper logging of visitors to make the process faster," he said. Visits on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be permitted throughout the entire day.
Special Holiday Schedules and Family Day Declaration
Senior Inspector Roselle Paracale provided details on the visiting schedules. For December 25, all approved visitors will be allowed. On December 24, visits will be organized by quadrants, as the jail is divided into four sections. This same quadrant system will apply during New Year's Eve and New Year's Day celebrations.
Paracale emphasized that December 24 and 25 have been declared Family Day, even though they fall on a Wednesday and Thursday, deviating from the usual Sunday family visiting day under BJMP policy. "We considered them as Family Day because many PDLs want to see their children," she explained.
Addressing Financial Hardships and Emotional Needs
A poignant aspect of the event is its importance for families separated by distance and poverty. Paracale shared that many PDLs have not seen their children for years, with some families traveling from as far as Negros and northern or southern Cebu. Financial constraints often prevent these reunions.
"There are PDLs who have not seen their children for three years because their families live far away. Some families cannot even afford transportation," Paracale said. In response, the jail administration sometimes provides transportation assistance to struggling families, and personnel are encouraged to help.
Paracale highlighted the positive impact of these visits on the PDLs' well-being and behavior: "When PDLs are able to see their loved ones, they become calmer and easier to manage."
For female PDLs, special arrangements were made earlier in the month, with phone calls to families allowed from December 16 to 19, accommodating over 100 contacts daily. On Christmas Day, visitor number limits for female PDLs will be lifted for those on the approved list. Paracale also clarified that conjugal visits for female detainees remain regulated to ensure health and safety.
The BJMP officials are calling for full cooperation from all visitors, particularly in adhering to security protocols and avoiding bringing contraband, to ensure a smooth and meaningful holiday reunion for everyone involved.
