BuCor eyeing HQ, not prison, inside geopark

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said yesterday it plans to have its headquarters – not a prison – built within the disputed 270-hectare land it claims within a conservation park in Tanay, Rizal.

BuCor chief Gregorio Catapang Jr. said their records show that the bureau is the registered owner of the property being disputed by the Masungi Georeserve Foundation by virtue of a transfer certificate of title (TCT) issued by the Register of Deeds of Morong.

Moreover, Catapang said allegations that the land will be used to relocate the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), which has approximately 30,000 inmates, are false.

He said the property shall be the site of the BuCor headquarters, “including its residential uses for its personnel and employees.”

He added they will also use the land for the development and implementation of BuCor for the sustainment of its basic institutional food requirements.

The Masungi Georeserve asked President Marcos and other government officials to intervene after around 20 BuCor personnel inspected the conservation site on Thursday.

In response, Catapang said the BuCor has the right to conduct any activity in the area. He insisted that the BuCor remains the owner of the property unless the TCT, dated Sept. 28, 2022, is nullified by a court of court of competent jurisdiction.

“The transfer certificate of title issued under the name of the Bureau of Corrections remains indefeasible and binding upon the whole world,” he said in a statement.