As the lead social protection agency, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) fully supports the recommendation of the House Committee on Justice, chaired by Leyte Rep. Vicente “Ching” Veloso, for the temporary release on bail of elderly and sickly detainees in “highly congested” jails in the country due to COVID-19 citing humanitarian reasons.

DSWD explained that the elderly, especially those with underlying illnesses, as well as the sickly are vulnerable  to COVID-19. Staying in crowded jails would expose them to greater risk of contracting the disease aggravating their situation.

DSWD hopes that all concerned agencies will be able to immediately consider this proposal and ensure that compassion and humanitarian considerations will be upheld during this time of public health crisis. ###