Bureau of Corrections to open new facility in Southern Leyte

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Corrections and the provincial government of Southern Leyte yesterday agreed to build a regional prison facility in the town of Silago as part of BuCor’s decongestion efforts.

BuCor chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. and Southern Leyte Gov. Damian Mercado signed an agreement for the development of a 2,800-hectare property into a correctional facility that will also serve as a special economic zone.

“The envisioned regional prison facility will serve as a model of how secure, well-planned penal communities can become engines of growth, livelihood and inclusive development,” Catapang said during the ceremony.

The agreement provides that a technical working group will oversee the project development, the BuCor will plan and design the facility, while the provincial government will issue necessary clearances and coordinate with communities.

The planned facility is located near the airport and seaports to improve commerce in the area.

“This decision brings tremendous opportunities, revitalizing economic activities, creating jobs, supporting local industries and enhancing local growth in Silago and its neighboring communities,” Mercado said.

The initiative is part of BuCor’s efforts to decongest the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa and transform its idle property into income-generating hubs.

At a Senate hearing on budget last month, BuCor officials told senators that between January and September, the bureau collected P188.6 million in revenues from 485 micro and macro businesses operating in seven prison facilities nationwide.

The amount is not sufficient to replenish BuCor’s revolving fund, which is used to provide allowances to inmates working in agro-industries, augment inmate’s subsistence and procure additional supplies and materials such as farm tools and equipment.