Aquino leads launching of Bureau of Corrections ten-year Roadmap at New Bilibid Prison
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the death chamber during the launching of the Bureau of Corrections 2022 Road Map and Stakeholders’ Fellowship at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Reservation in Muntinlupa City on Friday (January 27). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau).
President Benigno S. Aquino III bared the various continuing efforts of the government to implement essential reforms in the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) to provide a sense of hope to those undergoing rehabilitation.
In his speech during the launching of the BuCor 2022 Road Map and Stakeholders Fellowship at the New Bilibid Prison Reservation in Muntinlupa City, Friday, President Aquino said that the bureau should be identified as a source of “Hope” by the inmates as they prepare to face the challenges outside the penitentiary.
“Ito na nga po ang magiging bagong mukha ng bilibid: pag-asa… na pagkatapos nilang pagbayaran ang mga maling nagawa nila sa nakaraan, may pagkakataon silang magkaroon ng maayos na trabaho at disenteng pagkakakitaan dahil handa na silang humakbang tungo sa bagong buhay at kinabukasan,” the President said.
“Ito ang pag-asang hatid ng ating sistemang koreksyonal … ito ang pagbabago na ipinangako natin noon na tinutupad natin ngayon bilang isang makatarungan, maunlad at makataong bansa sa tuwid na daan… Sa paglulunsad natin ng Bureau of Corrections roadmap itutulak natin ang ating sistemang koreksyonal tungo sa tuwid na daan kung saan ang tanging layunin ng bilibid at ng bilangguan sa Pilipinas ay ang tiyakin ang makabuluhang rehabilitasyon at pagbabagong buhay ng mga bilanggo upang sila ay maging handa sa kanilang pagbabalik bilang bahagi ng kalakhang lipunan,” he added.
The President said that the reforms initiated in the BuCor include the construction of new buildings in various detention facilities in the country to help in decongesting the penitentiary and the continuous launching of livelihood programs that could help the inmates not only in supporting their families financially but also in their skills development.
“Layon nating tapusin na ang mga araw ng mga seldang maihahambing sa lata ng sardinas, hangad nating wakasan na ang pagbabalewala sa kalusugan at karapatan ng mga nakabilanggo… nais nating putulin na ang talamak na kuntyabahan at palakasan ng may mga impluwensyang tao.”
At present, the Chief Executive said, around 20 thousand were detained in the New Bilibid Prison which only has a capacity to confine nine thousand people.
“Siyam na libo lang po dapat ang kapasidad ng New Bilibid Prison subalit sa kasalukuyan humigit kumulang dalawampung libong katao po ang nakakulong dito,” the President said.
He added that the government is considering the transfer of the facilities in a much better location.
“Kaya naman kasalukuyan nang inaayos ang planong paglilipat ng New Bilibid Prison sa mas angkop na lokasyon upang ito ay maging isang mas malawak at mas epektibong koreksyonal na pasilidad,” President Aquino added.
“Patuloy tayong naglulunsad ng iba’t-ibang programang pangkabuhayan sa mga kulungan na maaari nilang (inmates) kapulutan ng bagong mga abilidad at karunungan,” he said.
President Aquino also said that he has already directed the Department of Justice to expedite the processing of data that will be included in the National Justice Information System that serves as data base of records from various agencies of the government.
Also, the government is pushing for the BuCor modernization bill which aims to further train and enhance the capabilities of the BuCor personnel.
Also present during the event were Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Bureau of Corrections Director Gaudencio Pangilinan, Muntinlupa City Mayor Aldrin San Pedro and Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr., among others.
The Bureau of Corrections Strategic Plan: “BuCor 2022” aims to improve public safety; provide humane, decent and secured inmate environment; provide an expanded inmate post-release opportunities; professional and accountable corrections administration and an improved resource management system. (jcl/6:07 p.m.)
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