The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) is seeking to hire 10,000 more corrections personnel to effectively manage its seven major facilities nationwide, aiming to achieve a 1:7 personnel-to-inmate ratio.

According to BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., the current ratio stands at 1:20, highlighting the urgent need for additional personnel.

“We lack personnel at the moment that is why we continue to train new personnel to attain the actual ratio per PDLs. There is also the problem that we inherited when we took over aside from the lack of officers,” said Catapang.

Catapang reiterated the need for at least 1,000 more officers to augment the bureau’s ranks.

“We lack officers here thus we have to train at least 1,000 more from the enlisted personnel,” he said.

The new officers will be selected from current enlisted personnel and undergo a six-month officer candidate course in Palawan to prepare them for their new responsibilities.

“I will upgrade them to become officers so they can be thought to manage PDL’s, siguro initially this year 200 will be trained. They are so-called rose from the ranks,” Catapang added.

He clarified that the candidates are already college graduates and board passers, with the only requirement being the officer training course before assuming leadership roles in the bureau.

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the fast-tracking of PDL decongestion at the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa, following his recent visit and assessment of the facility.

Catapang said the directive was relayed by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, with plans to relocate inmates to Palawan due to its vast 28,000-hectare land area.

“In Palawan the area is very big, we can give every PDL land to till that way they will be more productive,” said Catapang.