To further decongest the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City in preparation for its eventual closure by 2028, the Bureau of Corrections transferred 150 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) to Leyte Regional Prison on Sunday night.

This brings to 9,427 the total number of PDLs from NBP transferred to various Operating Prison and Penal Farm (OPPFs).

Bucor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. disclosed that the bureau’s budget for this year amounting to more than P9.2 billion has a provision in the amount of P288 million for the actual transfer of PDLs from the NBP to various OPPFs.

The transfer of these PDLs, led by Chief Senior Inspector Al Andrada, supported by 49 personnel from the escorting group and various offices, including the National Headquarters and the overseeing entities at the Maximum Security Camp and escort provided by PNP Muntinlupa.

The operation began with the careful identification of the individuals listed in the transfer order signed by Director General Catapang, ensuring that all necessary protocols were followed. Preparations included haircuts and the issuance of standardized uniforms consisting of T-shirts and shorts, which emphasized the organized nature of the process.

Meanwhile, Catapang disclosed that the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) will intensify its work and livelihood program with the introduction of weaving Batik and hallow block making.

Catapang said they will tap Mary Jane Veloso who is confined at the CIW to teach her fellow PDLs the techniques in weaving Batik which she learned during her incarceration in Indonesia.

Other livelihood programs being implemented at CIW include making beads, paper crafts, baking, painting, and training for solar panel assembly.

The Bucor chief also disclosed that the Department of Justice (DoJ), BuCor and CIW, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Samahan ng mga Pilipina para sa Reporma at Kaunlaran or SPARK Philippines to improve the country’s Corrections system while safeguarding and empowering women PDLs.

Under the MoU, both parties discussed their mutual responsibilities and goals in furtherance of Project Arts, Crafts and E-Commerce (Project ARTE) geared towards improving the lives of PDLs through nationwide technology upskilling and income generation programs.

Based on the MoU, the DoJ is tasked to formulate the policies and roadmap in the planning and implementation of Project ARTE while the BuCor, shall facilitate the prioritization and identification of correctional facilities for the initial launch of Project ARTE and its subsequent undertakings, as well as the selection of qualified PDLs who will become beneficiaries of Project ARTE.