In celebration of the 126th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence Day on June 12, 2024, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) through its Directorate for External Relations (DER) spearheaded by CT/SUPT NOEL M MARQUEZ, CT/INSP STELLA MAY C LAT, and the External Affairs Sections of all Operating Prison and Penal Farms (OPPF) organized a culminating activity for the release of fifty-three (53) Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs), which are part of the seven hundred eighteen (718) total number of releases from May 1 to June 10, 2024 with the theme, “Mga Repormasyong Binigay, Natutuna’y Kaalaman Tungo Sa Pagbabagong Buhay,” held at the National Headquarters, New Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa City, including all other OPPFs.
Among the notable figures who attended the program were BuCor Director General GREGORIO PIO P CATAPANG JR., AFP (Ret.), CESE, CCLH, HON. ALMARIM C. TILLAH, AL HAJ, Presidential Adviser on Muslim Affairs, USEC MARGARITA N. GUTIERREZ of the Department of Justice – Philippines (DOJ), ATTY. PERSIDA RUEDA-ACOSTA, Chief, Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), ATTY. RACHEL D RUELO and MRS. JOSEFINA M SANTOS, Board Members, Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP), MR. ADELINO SUYU JR, Chief Probation Officer of Muntinlupa Parole and Probation Administration (PPA), and MR. REY D SANGLAY, Officer-in-Charge, Chief of TSSD-EPWW, Department of Labor and Employment – National Capital Region (DOLE – NCR).
GENERAL CATAPANG JR highlighted in his message the proposal of establishing a regional facility in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) with the help of HON ALMARIM C TILLAH, AL HAJ, as well as the establishment of the Unified Corrections facilities in each province with its own designated Reception and Diagnostic Center. He also ensures that the PDLs will receive assistance from TESDA, DOLE, and the bureau through a Memorandum of Agreement, which will provide skills training programs for them during their stay inside the corrections facilities. These programs will give them a head start upon their release and give them opportunities to earn and support their families. Furthermore, the BuCor Director General acknowledged the constant support of all the offices that allowed the success of the Culminating Activity.
The total number of released PDLs was a result of the simultaneous culminating program from the different OPPFs consisting of 395 – at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), 37 – at Leyte Regional Prison (LRP), 35 – at Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm (SPPF), 39 – at Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF), 1 – at Correctional Institution for Women – Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (CIW-IPPF), 41 – at Correctional Institution for Women (CIW), Mandaluyong City, 12 – at Correctional Institution for Women (CIW), Mindanao, 89 – at Davao Prison and Penal Farm, and 69 – at San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm (SRPPF).
The Management Screening Evaluation Committee (MSEC), the PDL Documents and Processing Division, and the Separation Center Office of all OPPFs contributed to the event’s success as well, particularly in terms of expediting the documents and facilitating PDL’s release from their respective prison camps.
Under the direction of BuCor Director General GREGORIO PIO P CATAPANG JR., AFP (Ret.), CESE, CCLH, in order to carry out the directives of His Excellency, PRESIDENT FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR., and with the invaluable assistance and support of SOJ REMULLA in order to decongest prison facilities, the culminating activity was realized.
Ms. Michelle Angela N. Andrada
Contributor
