BuCor defers plan to build HQ in Masungi

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Corrections (Bucor) has deferred its plan to transfer the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) and its headquarters to the Masungi Georeserve in Tanay, Rizal due to environmental concerns.

Questions remain as to why the 270-hectare portion of the conservation area was titled to the bureau.

BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. yesterday told the Senate committee on tourism chaired by Sen. Nancy Binay that the plan to build a new NBP and BuCor headquarters “will no longer push through.”

“The 270-hectare property awarded to the BuCor pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 1158 as the site of the New Bilibid Prison including the plan to relocate its national headquarters to this site will be held in abeyance pending further studies,” Catapang told the committee.

He said the study would consider the impact on the environment of the construction of the BuCor facilities in Masungi.

The inquiry was prompted by a resolution filed by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who said there was a need to probe reports that a group of armed men settled along the highway within the vicinity of the Masungi conservation site in September.

Hontiveros cited an incident in 2021 when two Masungi park rangers were shot and wounded.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) reported to the committee that 13 of its personnel have been killed in the line of duty within the past six years.

“With this in mind, alongside the matter of the BuCor and its plans in Masungi, it would serve us well to be reminded that people and our rich natural environment are our country’s invaluable resources,” Hontiveros said.

Binay and Hontiveros said the Masungi is part of the Upper Marikina Watershed. They said it helps regulate the flow of water, provides a natural defense against typhoons and prevents catastrophic flooding.

The BuCor is claiming ownership of a 270-hectare portion of the 400-hectare conservation site, based on Proclamation 1158 issued by then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Sept. 9, 2006.

The proclamation designated the area as the new location of the BuCor headquarters. Recently, the BuCor managed to secure a title to the area.

There were no clear answers from the resource persons on Binay’s question as to why no concrete action or decision had been made to rescind the title when it was evident that the BuCor’s area includes the protected limestone formation.

DENR director for legal affairs Norlito Eneran said the matter could be resolved with a “positive action” from the government to take back the protected land from the BuCor.