BuCor retains ISO certification; audit cites zero torture cases

Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. on Sunday announced the successful maintenance of the agency’s ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) Certification following a comprehensive surveillance audit conducted by TÜV SÜD PSB.

According to Catapang, the audit evaluated key operational processes — Admission, Security, Reformation, Support to Operation, and Release Process — across three major penal farms: the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF), the Leyte Regional Prison (LRP), and the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

The audit team, led by Auditor Orlan Tiongson with Jayzer Aquino and Mel Gibbson Ogay, highlighted several accomplishments during the November 24–28 assessment. These included the recognition of the BuCor head of agency as a “Modern Hero Awardee,” symbolizing leadership that inspires positive change. The agency was also commended for having a zero-incidence record of torture — certified by the Commission on Human Rights — underscoring its commitment to upholding the dignity and rights of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

In addition, BuCor received the “HR Prime” certification from the Civil Service Commission for excellence in human resource management, and was acknowledged for successfully hosting the Asia-Pacific Regional Correctional Conference (ARCC). The auditors also cited the bureau’s efficient release rate of PDLs, reflecting the effectiveness of its release process.

The bureau’s interactions were also noted, with auditors praising the courteous exchanges between personnel and PDLs, including greetings and salutes, which they described as a sign of a “reformed culture” inside the facilities.

The audit recorded a significant reduction in non-conformities — from ten minor findings in 2024 to only two in 2025 — and zero major findings, signaling improved compliance and BuCor’s sustained pursuit of international standards.

Catapang said the certification serves as an encouraging milestone for the bureau, reinforcing its mandate and motivating personnel to continue striving for excellence.

Meanwhile, BuCor confirmed that 240 PDLs from NBP were transferred on Friday to the Davao Prison and Penal Farm as part of the agency’s decongestion efforts and preparations for the planned closure of NBP by 2028. The group was escorted by 80 corrections officers headed by CCINSP Roberto Butawan, composed of BuCor SWAT, medical personnel, and escort units, with support from PNP Muntinlupa, PNP Manila, SLEX Patrol, PNP Highway Patrol Group, and the Philippine Coast Guard.