To further address the issue of penal congestion in the Philippines, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Quezon City Chapter (IBP QC) have formalized their collaboration through a memorandum of agreement signed Tuesday.

The MOA was jointly signed by BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. and IBP–Quezon City Chapter President Atty. Rowell D. Ilagan in a simple ceremony held at the Old Hall of Justice Building in Quezon City, highlighting the commitment of both organizations to improve the justice system and the lives of those incarcerated.

Catapang emphasized that the collaboration aligns with broader efforts spearheaded by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and the Supreme Court to address the urgent issue of overcrowding within penitentiaries — a topic thoroughly discussed during the recent National Decongestion Summit.

He said the initiative focuses on streamlining the processing of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs), with BuCor receiving critical support in accurately calculating time served, securing necessary release documents, and facilitating access to alternative modes of release.

With BuCor responsible for the custody and rehabilitation of national offenders across its seven operating prison and penal farms, and the IBP boasting a membership of over 13,000 legal professionals, the partnership promises to bring substantial manpower and expertise to the forefront of reforming the penal system, Catapang added.

The IBP QC emphasized that its Penal Facilities Decongestion Program aims to tackle the chronic problem of overcrowding.

The newly signed MOA serves as a testament to the commitment of both institutions to uphold the rights and dignity of PDLs, ensuring their well-being while paving the way for meaningful reforms and timely access to justice for persons deprived of liberty.