A LEGACY RENEWED: From Marcos Sr. to Marcos Jr.
Celebrating PRBM at 69: Transforming Corrections, Restoring Lives, Building a Safer Bagong Pilipinas
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Celebrating PRBM at 69: Transforming Corrections, Restoring Lives, Building a Safer Bagong Pilipinas
As the nation celebrates the 69th birthday of His Excellency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) joins the Filipino people in honoring a leadership that has opened a new chapter in Philippine corrections, moving beyond the traditional concept of confinement toward a modern institution built on safekeeping, reformation, reintegration, accountability, innovation, and national development.
This transformation also renews a historic legacy. More than 50 years after the last establishment of a Regional Prison Facility in Abuyog, Leyte, under the administration of President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., the long-standing gap in prison regionalization is finally being addressed. Under President Marcos Jr., the development of the new Central Luzon Regional Prison Facility in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija revives the vision of bringing modern correctional facilities closer to the regions, facilities designed not merely for confinement, but as secure, humane, and reformation-oriented communities. The Palayan City Project forms part of BuCor's broader infrastructure and decongestion program.
At the heart of this turnaround is the President's commitment to second chances. Through PBBM's BILIS LAYA Program, 34,530 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) have been lawfully released and reunited with their families since July 2022, including 114 through Executive Clemency, a breakthrough that surpassed the accomplishments recorded during the first three years of the previous administration and even exceeded the total achievements of earlier administrations over their respective six-year terms. BuCor aims to facilitate the release of 10,000 qualified PDL by the end of 2026, advancing decongestion while keeping every release anchored on law and public safety.
But freedom must be accompanied by genuine transformation. Participation in BuCor's Mandatory Reformation Programs consistently exceeded 97% from 2022 to 2026, reaching 99.48% from January to June 2026. Moreover, 24,534 participants underwent Pre-Release Reintegration Programs, while 25,210 clients received post release interventions connecting them with families, LGUs, livelihood opportunities, referrals, and continuing support.
Complementing these reforms, 16,530 PDL have been strategically transferred to Operating Prisons and Penal Farms (OPPFs) nationwide, easing congestion and improving security and access to reformation programs. BuCor is likewise transforming its landholdings into assets for national development. More than 4,000 hectares of Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF) are being developed as the country's first Mega PEZA Zone, positioning correctional lands to contribute to food security, employment, investment, tourism, and regional growth.
Transformation also begins from within. Since July 2022, BuCor has promoted 1,165 personnel, hired 5,674, conducted 230 trainings benefiting 14,483 personnel, and recognized 768 personnel. At the same time, 221 personnel were dismissed, suspended without pay, or formally reprimanded, demonstrating that professionalization goes hand in hand with integrity and accountability.
On President Marcos Jr.'s 69th birthday, BuCor celebrates not only a milestone in his life, but a legacy being renewed and a transformation gaining momentum. From the regionalization vision of Marcos Sr. through more than five decades without a new Regional Prison Facility, to its revival under Marcos Jr., Philippine corrections is moving forward with renewed purpose towards a relevant, sustainable, and respected Bureau of Corrections in the 21st century.
Happy 69th Birthday, Mr. President! May your vision of Bagong Pilipinas continue to inspire second chances, stronger institutions, safer communities, and transformed lives.
