Jail director Efren Altamira Nemeño was formally sworn in Thursday as the new chief of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla presided over the donning of the two-star ranks and the official oath-taking ceremony Thursday morning at the Quezon City Reception House.

During the ceremony, Remulla challenged Nemeño to earn the respect of the agency’s workforce and to lead the bureau with integrity.

“Remember, sir, all these ladies and gentlemen are relying on your leadership; relying on leadership by example,” Remulla said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Nemeño to the top post following the conclusion of the tour of duty of the outgoing chief, Jail director Ruel Rivera.

Nemeño is a veteran administrator within the bureau. He previously served as the warden of the Cebu City Jail and later headed several regional offices as regional director.

Before his promotion to chief, Nemeño was appointed deputy chief for operations in July 2023, where he managed the bureau’s frontline security and rehabilitation initiatives.

Upon taking command, Nemeño vowed to address jail congestion, combat corruption, and ensure merit and fitness guide all administrative actions.

He also stressed that he will provide a renewed commitment to the bureau’s mandate of providing secure, humane, and reformation-oriented facilities.

Nemeño will oversee the agency’s personnel in managing and rehabilitating persons deprived of liberty in jail facilities nationwide.