Muntinlupa: The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has signed a memorandum of agreement with the local government of Southern Leyte to plan, develop, and establish a 2,800-hectare Regional Prison Facility (RPF) in Silago town.
According to Philippines News Agency, the agreement was formalized by BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. and Southern Leyte Governor Damian Mercado at the BuCor headquarters. The RPF is designed to function as a Special Economic Zone that combines correctional, agro-industrial, and eco-tourism components.
The agreement outlines that BuCor will spearhead the planning and design of the facility, leveraging technical resources and coordinating with national agencies. The provincial government of Southern Leyte will facilitate the necessary local clearances, support services, and community coordination. A Joint Technical Working Group will be formed to oversee the project development, ensuring collaboration between government entities and local communities.
This partnership involves the donation of a 2,800-hectare land area in Silago to BuCor, in line with Republic Act No. 10575, also known as the 'Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013.' This act mandates BuCor to ensure the safe custody, reformation, and rehabilitation of persons deprived of liberty and to modernize correctional facilities across the Philippines through regional prison facilities.
Catapang stated that this initiative marks a crucial step towards modernizing the correctional system in the Philippines. It aims to enhance public safety while promoting socio-economic growth in the Eastern Visayas region. Silago's strategic location, with its proximity to seaports and airports, is expected to facilitate logistics and access, making it suitable for integration into the proposed special economic zone with agro-industrial and eco-tourism opportunities.
The multifunctional approach is intended to transform correctional facilities into self-sustaining communities and foster local economic growth. The project represents a new phase in the Philippine correctional landscape, advocating for restorative justice and sustainable development.
Governor Mercado expressed gratitude to Catapang and BuCor for selecting Leyte as the project site. He assured the local government's full cooperation to make this endeavor a success.
