Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and BJMP chief, Jail Director Ruel Rivera (right) (Photo courtesy of BJMP)
MANILA – Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) chief Jail Director Ruel Rivera pledged to fulfill the agency's mandate of providing secure, reformation-oriented and well-managed jail facilities across the country as he was officially sworn in as the jail bureau's new head on Wednesday.
Rivera took his oath before Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. at the National Police Commission (Napolcom) building in Quezon City.
The new chief vowed to continue working on the BJMP’s J.A.I.L. Plan 2040, to support the “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan” (BIDA) Program of the DILG and the Marcos administration’s Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028
He plans to work closely with BJMP personnel, stakeholders and partners to uphold the BJMP's commitment to professionalism, integrity and service excellence.
He will be leading the BJMP’s 20,813 personnel in taking care of 126,606 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) confined in 479 jails nationwide.
In his message, Abalos expressed his full trust and confidence in Rivera’s leadership.
“General Rivera has become the bridge that connects the previous and recent administrations. He is the continuity of excellence in service,” Abalos said.
“Without any doubt, I am sure that he will continue to blaze the trail for the Bureau to become better,” he added.
Rivera was appointed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as the 10th chief of the BJMP, effective June 25, following the retirement of outgoing chief Jail Director Allan Iral.
An accomplished jail officer, Rivera obtained his public safety degree from the Philippine National Police Academy (PNP) and is a member of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Patnubay Class of 1995.
He has a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Batangas State University and acquired Doctorate units in Philosophy on Educational Management at the University of Rizal System.
Throughout his career, the new BJMP chief has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of the complexities and challenges faced by the bureau.
He played a vital role in implementing innovative programs and initiatives aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the BJMP's operations and the rehabilitation of PDLs.
In his 28 years in public service, Rivera brings a distinguished career in jail management to this position. With his years of experience in various capacities within the BJMP, he displayed exemplary dedication and commitment to the bureau's mission of ensuring safe and humane custody of PDL.
He never shied away from being deployed to various regional offices as a staff officer, regional chief of Directorial Staff and assistant regional director, until his eventual ascent to the seat of the regional director of BJMP-Mimaropa from 2013 to 2014.
Rivera also served as the national headquarters’ chief of the Finance Service Office, director for Investigation and Prosecution, director for Logistics, and director for Comptrollership, before joining the BJMP’s Command Group, the decision-making body of the Jail Bureau, serving as the chief of Directorial Staff in 2017, Deputy Chief for Operations in 2018, Deputy Chief for Administration in July 2019, and acting chief of the BJMP on March 27. (PNA)
