The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), in cooperation with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, will host the second ASEAN Regional Correctional Conference (ARCC) in Puerto Princesa, Palawan from 14 to 17 February 2025.

With the theme “Shaping the Future of Corrections Together,” the conference will bring together heads of prison services from 10 ASEAN countries: Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Timor Leste and the Philippines.

BuCor director general Gregorio Catapang Jr. stressed that the forum aims to discuss common challenges and share best practices, adding that this is the first time BuCor will host an international conference.

This comes as the Department of Justice, BuCor’s parent agency under Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla, is revitalizing the country’s corrections system to ensure the well-being of persons deprived of liberty.

The ARCC will provide a venue to address challenges such as prison overcrowding and resource limitations faced by participating countries, and to learn from one another while discussing efforts and solutions for enhancing correctional services.

Catapang said the conference also serves as a platform to introduce innovations and new technologies for improving correctional administrations.