Parañaque 2nd District Representative Brian Yamsuan welcomed the increase in the daily subsistence allowance for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) to ₱100 under the proposed 2026 national budget, but emphasized that broader reforms are needed to improve jail conditions and inmate welfare.
“PDLs should be treated humanely, and with dignity and compassion. Kahit sino naman ay magsasabing kulang na kulang ang ₱70 a day para sa kanilang pagkain. We hope that this long-overdue increase would improve efforts of our jail officials in meeting the nutritional needs of PDLs,” Yamsuan said.
Congress approved raising the subsistence allowance from ₱70 to ₱100 per day and the medicine allowance from ₱15 to ₱20.
The adjustments will apply to detainees under the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Bureau of Corrections (BOC).
Yamsuan, however, cautioned that the increase remains insufficient.
“Given today’s food prices, ₱100 a day may still not be enough. But at least it’s a start. We will continue to push for humane living conditions for our PDLs, which is a key element in fueling their rehabilitation,” he noted.
He also criticized the limited healthcare support, saying, “A medicine allowance of ₱20 per day is obviously grossly inadequate, especially with only a handful of medical personnel tasked to provide healthcare services to PDLs detained in overcrowded and ill-maintained BJMP jails throughout the country.”
As part of the bicameral conference committee on the 2026 budget, Yamsuan highlighted that allocations were based on BJMP’s projected PDL population of 141,843—lower than the 182,556 assumed in 2025. He urged BJMP to intensify decongestion efforts to ensure detainees benefit fully from the ₱100 allowance.
Yamsuan further raised concern over the absence of rehabilitation funding for BJMP jails, noting that congestion, though slightly reduced, remains severe at 286% as of September 2025.