Iloilo city: Interior and Local Government Undersecretary for Public Safety, Jed Patrick Mabilog, has announced an initiative to address the issue of overcrowding in jail facilities across the country. Mabilog plans to conduct a comprehensive inventory of jails and develop strategies to mitigate congestion.

According to Philippines News Agency, Mabilog shared in an interview that he would be visiting various public safety offices, including the Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Philippine Safety College, and the Emergency 911 office. He expressed concern over the situation in Quezon City, where juvenile delinquents are housed with adult inmates due to a lack of space. Mabilog emphasized the need for tailored rehabilitation programs based on age groups to ensure proper correction and rehabilitation.

Mabilog also revealed a proposed rehabilitation program for persons who use drugs (PWUD), which would have its costs covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. He highlighted that this initiative would relieve families of the financial burden associated with rehabilitation. Drawing from his experience as the former mayor of Iloilo City, Mabilog noted that funding had been a significant challenge for rehabilitation programs, which were previously financed through the peace and order fund.

He further elaborated that the new program would be piloted in Iloilo City alongside other initiatives, aiming to provide families with a viable option that alleviates financial strain through PhilHealth support. Mabilog's ceremonial oath-taking was conducted at the University of the Philippines Visayas auditorium, in the presence of Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon, Iloilo City Lone District Representative Julienne Baronda, and Senator JV Ejercito. Prior to the ceremony, attendees also participated in the groundbreaking event for the rehabilitation of the UPV Little Theater, a project supported through funding facilitated by Baronda.