The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) is gradually advancing its plan to establish the Regional Prison Facility (RPF) in Silago, Southern Leyte, as part of its reformation and decongestion program.

This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Friday between BuCor and the Provincial Government of Southern Leyte for the planning, development, and establishment of the RPF.

Envisioned as a Special Economic Zone integrating correctional, agro-industrial, and eco-tourism components, the MOA was officially signed by BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. and Southern Leyte Governor Damian G. Mercado.

This partnership, which will pave the way for the donation of 2,800 hectares of land in Silago to BuCor, is anchored on Republic Act No. 10575, otherwise known as the “Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013,” which mandates BuCor to ensure the safe custody, reformation, and rehabilitation of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) and to modernize correctional facilities nationwide through the establishment of Regional Prison Facilities, Catapang said.

Catapang added that the agreement marks a significant step toward modernizing the correctional system in the Philippines, aiming not only to enhance public safety but also to foster socio-economic growth in the Eastern Visayas region.

Silago, he explained, has been recognized for its strategic location, with proximity to seaports and airports that can facilitate logistics and access. This makes the proposed RPF easily integrated into the envisioned Special Economic Zone, with opportunities for agro-industrial and eco-tourism development.

The multifunctional approach aims not only to transform correctional facilities into self-sustaining communities but also to create avenues for local economic growth.

The project symbolizes a new phase in the correctional landscape of the Philippines, advocating for restorative justice and sustainable development, Catapang said.

For his part, Mercado expressed his gratitude to Catapang and the entire BuCor agency for choosing Leyte as their project site and assured BuCor of the provincial government’s full cooperation to realize the endeavor.

Under the terms of the agreement, both parties have outlined specific responsibilities to ensure the successful implementation of the RPF.

BuCor will take the lead in planning and designing the facility while mobilizing technical resources and coordinating with national agencies.

The Provincial Government of Southern Leyte, in turn, will provide the necessary local clearances, support services, and community coordination.

BuCor and the provincial government aim to create a Joint Technical Working Group (TWG) to oversee project development, fostering a collaborative spirit that engages both government entities and local communities.