Muntinlupa city: The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has transferred another batch of 200 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City to the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro. BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. stated that this transfer is part of the Bureau's strategic plan to close the NBP by 2028.

According to Philippines News Agency, the transfer is not an isolated event, as BuCor has already relocated 15,730 PDLs to various prison and penal farms across the country since 2022. This move is a key component of BuCor's efforts to address overcrowding while modernizing and decentralizing the correctional system.

The NBP currently occupies a significant land area of 375.61 hectares. Of this, 160 hectares are earmarked for commercial leasing, while another 106 hectares are designated for Public-Private Partnership or joint venture agreements. Catapang emphasized that these plans are designed to create consistent and sustainable revenue streams, which will support BuCor's development and modernization initiatives.

Despite the implementation of leasing arrangements, Catapang assured that government ownership of the assets will remain intact. No property sales will occur, and lessees will be expected to pay lease rates ranging from PHP65 to PHP100 per square meter per month, inclusive of value-added tax. Based on these rates, the annual revenue generated from the 160-hectare commercial area alone is projected to be between PHP1.25 billion and PHP1.92 billion.