THE Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has transferred another batch of 450 inmates from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City and the Correctional Institute for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City to the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF) in Palawan as part of its ongoing efforts to decongest the two prison facilities.
The inmates — 400 from the NBP and 50 from the CIW — were transferred last October 1.
“The transfer of these persons deprived of liberty was still in line with the continuous effort of the BuCor to gradually decongest the PDL population at NBP and CIW. Thus, IPPF ensures that all turned-over PDLs will be provided with quality reformation programs for their positive transformation as individuals,” said IPPF C/Insp. Gary Garcia.
Garcia also assured the residents of Iwahig that the arrival of the newest batch of inmates will not cause any harm or risk as IPPF is “dedicated in providing a high level of security to maintain peace and order.”
BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said he has reminded Garcia to ensure the safekeeping and reformation of the newly transferred inmates.
It was the second such transfer by BuCor of inmates from the NBP and the CIW to Palawan.
Last July, 500 inmates from the NBP and CIW were relocated to the IPPF.
Catapang earlier said around 2,500 inmates from the national penitentiary will be transferred to the IPPF and other penal farms across the country this year as part of the efforts to decongest the NBP and pave the way for its eventual closure and transformation into a commercial and business center in 2028.
Aside from the NBP, CIW and IPPF, the agency also operates the Davao Prison and Penal Farm, San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga City, Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro, and the Leyte Regional Prison.
All these prison facilities are experiencing congestion problems.
Last week, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said they are considering a public-private partnership (PPP) as the best way forward for the establishment of a “super maximum” prison facility to house high-level offenders such as big-time drug lords.
