Iwahig PDLs to get huge boost
Catapang said they are aiming to finish their reform advocacy and the transfer of inmates from the NBP to different regions in the country so they can be with their respective families
The Bureau of Corrections announced that it is ready to give one hectare each to persons deprived of liberty from the minimum and maximum security compound in Palawan Iwahig Penal Colony as part of the food production program of the government.
BuCor director general Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. stressed that the PDLs — along with their families — will be provided with land to cultivate, adding that there is enough land in the area because the penal farm is comprised of 28,000 hectares.
He added that if properly used, it can be a big factor in the food production of the government and livelihood to the tillers which are inmates.
The help of the media was also asked by Catapang as he embarked on the said advocacy to reform BuCor as part of the marching order of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
In five years’ time, Catapang said they are aiming to finish their reform advocacy and the transfer of inmates from the NBP to different regions in the country so they can be with their respective families.
He added that putting the PDLs where their families are located is one of the agency’s purposes in reforming the BuCor because they are of the belief that presence of the families of each one of the inmates can be a big help.
The five-year reform plan is enough according to Catapang before the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ends.
Meanwhile, Catapang admitted that as they continue with the reform program they are encountering many problems in the system for a long time.
The years of neglect in the jail facilities resulted to many problem but they are up to the challenge because they believe that given the proper initiative they can solve whatever problems there is in the BuCor.
For one, there is the BuCor modernization program which has been passed a long time ago but was not implemented thus they are banking on it to finally put in the needed reforms for the betterment of the jail system in the country.
Part of the enormous task of Catapang is to give livelihood to PDLs while they are serving time in their respective jail facility and once they end their jail sentence they will be with their families along with the livelihood they need.