Breaking Boundaries: A Journey towards Empowerment
On 30 July 2025, a significant day marked by hope, solidarity, and vision, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Blue and Red Ribbon Project (BBRRP) was officially launched; a movement that transcends traditional reintegration programs. Held with the participation of BuCor key officials and stakeholders, the event laid the groundwork for a more inclusive approach to reintegration, aligning with the Bureau’s commitment to restorative justice.
Present during the event were Fr. Firmo N. Bargayo, President of Philippine Jesuit Prison Service Foundation Inc. (PJPS); Pastor Jonathan Caipang and Pastor Grace Ann Villamin, God Behind Bars; Pastor Mike Ayala, Campus Pastor, Saddle Back Church; Dr. Resurrecion Morales, Director, Reshape Justice Group; Mr. Zeaus Apollo C. Vadil, Senior Assistant Vice President, Human Resource Department of Tagum Agricultural Development Company, Inc. (TADECO); Dr. Antonio C. Calano, Orthopedic Surgeon, Asian Hospital; HONORABLE WALTER “BONG” B MARQUEZ, Municipal Mayor of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro; CT/CSUPT MARIA FE MARQUEZ, Head Executive Assistant – Office of the Director General; C/CSUPT CELSO S BRAVO, OIC-Deputy Director General for Reformation (OIC-DDGR); ASEC. AL I PERRERAS, Deputy Director General for Administration and BuCor DIRECTOR GENERAL, GENERAL GREGORIO PIO P CATAPANG JR., AFP (Ret.), CESE, CCLH.
The event, formally opened by CT/INSP DOMINIC R. LIBREA with an invocation, was followed by welcoming remarks from CT/CSUPT BRAVO, (OIC-DDGR). The ceremonial program continued with the presentation of the project’s overview by CT/SUPT NOEL M MARQUEZ, DVM, DPA, Director of the Directorate for External Relations and Reintegration Services (DERRS), emphasizing the importance of coordinated efforts for successful community reintegration. “The BBRRP is not just a Bureau responsibility, it is a national commitment.” With blue representing resilience and hope and red symbolizing empowerment and accountability, the project calls upon the nation to become bridge-builders; connecting returning citizens with opportunities in employment, education, and spiritual healing, he added.
A compelling video presentation titled “Highlight Journey” brought to life the stories of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) who have begun walking the road back to society. Their narratives reflected the deeper mission of the BBRRP; to shift public perception, rebuild dignity, and nurture empowerment through multi-sector collaboration.
In his inspirational message, DIRECTOR GENERAL CATAPANG JR. emphasized that the BBRRP stands as a movement rather than a mere program. It advocates for second chances and seeks to restore hope not just for the PDLs, but for their families and the communities they return to.
A vital part of this nationwide effort is the involvement and support of Local Government Units (LGU). In this regard, Mayor Walter “Bong” Marquez of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, has expressed his full support and willingness to actively participate in the success of the project. Recognizing the transformative potential of the program, Mayor Marquez committed to working hand in hand with BuCor in creating an enabling environment for returning reintegrated PDLs. His leadership underscores the importance of local champions in breaking stigma, facilitating reintegration, and fostering a culture of acceptance and empowerment within communities. With Sablayan being home to one of the major BuCor facilities, his endorsement carries both symbolic and practical weight, signaling a strong start for community-based intervention at the grassroots level.
At the heart of this project is the goal of strengthening reintegration efforts to meet the diverse needs of PDLs. From livelihood skills development to post-release support, the program is a product of both meticulous planning and meaningful partnerships. The DERRS spearheads this effort by actively engaging community leaders, civil society organizations, religious groups, and government agencies in the reintegration process.
The program reached a defining moment with the symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony, led by BuCor Key officials and stakeholders, marking the formal beginning of this transformative journey. As the first roll-out of BBRRP kicks off at Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF), in partnership with local stakeholders through a Memorandum of Agreement, the momentum builds for wider implementation across all BuCor facilities.
In closing, the BBRRP launch is a call to action: to cultivate redemption, to foster safer and more compassionate communities, and to ensure that no one is defined solely by their past. Instead, they are empowered by the promise of a better future; one ribbon, one story, one second chance at a time.
CO1 Benazir Alyssa M Maddas
CO1 Mila Rosa E Achumbre
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