In a bid to fight the threat of COVID-19, the Puerto Princesa City Jail (PPCJ) ensures social distancing by painting circles on its floor.
Jail Officer (JO1) Filly Erika Argueza, the PPCJ Community Relations Officer, told Palawan Daily News (PDN) Saturday they have painted the floor with circles that are one meter apart from each other.
She said these circles were painted on the floor of two specific locations at the facility.
“Dalawa po kasi ‘yon ‘yong isa po doon sa may paabot sa labas sa may response team. Bale spacing po ‘yon ng tao na magpapa-abot. Doon po sila tatayo para mayroon pong social distancing. Halimbawa po ‘yong mga service provider namin, nagbibigay po ng mga donations, iyon din po talaga ‘yong area,” said Argueza.
“Ngayon naman po ‘yong doon naman po sa dalawan [area] namin, ipinrepare lang po namin ‘yon para kung sakaling i-a-apply na natin iyong ‘the new normal’ iyon lang ‘yong bilang ng person [o] ng PDL na dadalawin at [at ganoon din] ‘yong kanila pong dalaw. Ganoon din po, social distancing din,” she added.
JO1 Argueza stated they have intended to allow only 15 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) and 15 guests to gather inside the visitation area.
Argueza stated there will only be a set time for each group of visitors.
However, Argueza noted they are yet to set further rules after the guidelines was released.
“Iyon po ay preparation lang, kasi nga po ‘diba kagaya dito sa Palawan ay nasa general [community quarantine] na rin naman po tayo… at least po kung mayroon na pong ganoong guidelines sa amin, ready na po kami,” she said.
Argueza also said they are conducting regular disinfection inside the facility.
She added even their supplies are undergoing thorough disinfection.
“Pag nagtu-turn-over po ng duty lalo na sa labas. Iyong van regular po ‘yan na dini-disinfect,” said Argueza.