Building Resilient Health Systems in Philippine Correctional Facilities: Integrating Disease Surveillance and National Policy for Comprehensive Detainee Healthcare

ICPA 2025 Presentation by John Paul Borlongan, Michelle Dulce Candelaria-Matias (PID017)

Authors

John Paul Borlongan

Medical Division Chief, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Philippines

Jail Superintendent John Paul De Guzman Borlongan, MD, MPA is the current Medical Division Chief of the Directorate for Health Service at the BJMP National Headquarters. A licensed physician and public servant with the rank of Jail Superintendent, he leads the national jail health programs, ensuring the delivery of quality healthcare services in correctional facilities.

He earned his Doctor of Medicine from UERMMMC, completed his Master of Public Administration at Bulacan State University, and graduated as valedictorian of the Public Safety Officers Senior Executive Course. He also holds a Biology degree from DLSU-Dasmariñas and has undergone specialized training in prison health in Thailand, Norway, and the Netherlands.

Dr. Borlongan has served in various leadership roles in BJMP since 2014, including as Chief Health Officer of Region III, National TB Coordinator, and Roving Medical Officer in multiple regions. He is a researcher, trainer, and advocate for health in detention, and a member of several professional medical and public health associations. Known for his commitment, integrity, and innovation, he continues to champion improved healthcare systems for persons deprived of liberty.

Michelle Dulce Candelaria-Matias

Attorney, Department of the Interior and Local Government / Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Philippines

Atty. Michelle Dulce Candelaria-Matias is a distinguished BJMP-grown legal professional and registered nurse recognized for her unwavering commitment to public safety and the welfare of incarcerated individuals and their families.

A recent graduate of the Master’s program in Crisis and Disaster Risk Management in the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) , Atty. Matias brings a multidisciplinary approach to her advocacy, emphasizing prison health as a vital component of public health and championing the rights of women offenders and their families. Her dedication to justice and social equity is reflected in her research and professional initiatives.

Her most recent research, entitled ""Evaluating the Effectiveness of Jail-Based Early Warning Surveillance System during Disease Outbreaks: A Case Study of Quezon City Jail-Male Dormitory,"" aligns with the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) 2025 theme, Wellbeing in Systems: Healthcare Systems in Corrections. This study highlights the urgent need for equitable and accessible healthcare strategies for diverse incarcerated populations, particularly during health crises.

Recognized for her outstanding scholarly contribution, Atty. Matias was awarded the Silver Medal for Best Capstone Research Project, underscoring the significance and quality of her work. Her research evaluates the implementation and effectiveness of an early warning surveillance system within the Quezon City Jail-Male Dormitory during disease outbreaks, providing evidence-based insights to improve disease detection, response, and overall health system resilience in correctional settings.

Her unique combination of expertise in law, nursing, and disaster risk management, along with her frontline experience in the BJMP, positions her as a credible and innovative leader in corrections healthcare reform. Atty. Matias’s work continues to inspire and inform efforts to enhance the wellbeing of persons deprived of liberty, especially in times of crisis and disaster.

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