MANILA, March 22 -- Various support were expressed on Wednesday to Senate Bill Nos. 1451 and 2014, which seek to integrate all provincial and sub-provincial jails within the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

During the public hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, Zamboanga del Sur Governor Victor Yu and Agusan del Sur Governor Santiago Cane Jr. agreed to the proposal saying it will unburden the provincial government on the "quite expensive" maintenance of jails.

"It is our opportunity to focus on more pressing responsibilities in our respective jurisdiction like the delivery of social services and functions especially devolved to us by the Local Government Code," ...