The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) is fully supporting the proposed integration of BuCor and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

This was stated by BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. following the announcement made by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla during BJMP's 34th Anniversary Celebration in Quezon City.

Catapang said the initiative aligns with the 2023–2028 Philippine Medium-Term Development Plan (PMDP) of the Marcos Administration, which envisions a unified penological and correctional system. The move is seen as a major step toward improving efficiency, streamlining resources, and addressing the persistent issue of jail congestion.

“This merger of departments is not without precedent,” Catapang noted, citing international models where correctional facilities are managed under a unified administration — resulting in better oversight and improved resource management.

He added that the proposal seeks to align operations and policies across different correctional agencies, with the goal of enhancing justice administration, improving offender rehabilitation, and promoting a more efficient corrections framework.

By consolidating these two vital institutions, Catapang said the government will create a more cohesive approach to managing correctional facilities and demonstrate a commitment to long-overdue reforms. The goal, he added, is to develop a modernized correctional system that better serves inmates and the public.

“This effort not only seeks to optimize operations but also to improve the overall conditions within the penal system, ultimately promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism,” he said.

The proposed merger also underscores the importance of good governance and human rights protection — cornerstones of a fair and just correctional system. These values are closely aligned with the country’s broader development agenda, which includes building a more inclusive and resilient society with equal opportunities for all.

The PMDP 2023–2028 recognizes the essential role of a functional correctional system in achieving national development goals. The proposed unified system is a step in that direction, promoting efficiency, fairness, and the upholding of human rights within the Philippine penal landscape.