RESIDENTS OF SHANGRILA VILLAGE OPPOSE CONSTRUCTION OF JAIL FACILITY

June 23, 2025 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY

Dozens homeowners-residents of Shangrila Village in Barangay San Luis here ,expressed strong opposition to a proposal by the Bureau of
Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to construct a jail facility just behind the said subdivision. The ‘proposed’ building will be permanent site for dormitories of male and female persons deprived of liberty (PDL). ‘We appalled and shocked to have been informed about these proposal… What is worse, we were also informed that the BJMP would already commense construction this March 2025,’ states in the petition by the homeowners headed by Toshiro Patrick Ikeuchi.

Based on the homeowners-residents petition (dated June 19,2025)-they claimed that they were never consulted by their barangay officials and BJMP regarding the latter proposal to construct a new jail facility. Residents alleged ‘neither we were furnished any documentation regarding the matter for our study and review.’ The group alleged ‘‘Neither was there any socio-economic survey of residents in the impact area undertaken by BJMP for social acceptability.’ ‘The proposed extension site of the BJMP carries with it risk factors for the community
and homeoners of Shangrila Village …poses great security risks in our residential place.’ Petitioners,however said :

‘We understand that there other areas suitable for the BJMP purpose where they could utilize like other public lands not through private
residential areas.’ The information regarding the construction of BJMP in the said village was a result of the meeting held on February 27,2025 and was attended by Barangay San Luis headed by Punong Barangay Rodolfo Ligligon and BJMP representatives led by J/Insp.
Dexter Ngipol. That Feb 27 meeting, it was gathered that BJMP thru their spokesperson J/Insp. Ngipol ‘assumed’ that public
consultations were conducted as per recorded. ‘ We wish to reiterate that we were never consulted nor had there been any such consultations with residents of our subdivision,’ the petition further states. Copies of the petition were sent to Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan, City Engineering Office, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology , Engr Rene Zarate of Baguio Eng’g District-DPWH, and San
Luis Punoy Barangay Ligligan.

Primo Agatep/ABN