BuCor eyes 13 regional facilities for heinous crimes

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) is eyeing the establishment of 13 regional facilities and two more facilities for individuals found guilty of committing heinous crimes.

Corrections Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said that by establishing the additional facilities, BuCor can move toward a more equitable and effective correctional system.

“The time to act is now; for a just and rehabilitative correctional system to thrive, proactive measures must be taken to bridge the existing gaps,” Catapang said in a statement.

He said this is in line with the Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013, which mandates the establishment of regional facilities, and the Separate Facility for Heinous Crimes Act, which mandates the establishment of separate facilities for heinous crimes.

Currently, BuCor said that it only operates in 5 out of 19 regions in the country, namely in the National Capital Region, Mimaropa, Eastern Visayas, the Zamboanga Peninsula, and the Davao Region.

The agency said there is a need to establish its presence in the Cordillera Administrative Region, the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, the Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Negros Island Region, Northern Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN, Caraga, and the Bangsamoro Region.

Meanwhile, Catapang said that BuCor has started the establishment of a Super Maximum Facility in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News