TACLOBAN CITY — The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and the provincial government of Southern Leyte have formalized an agreement to build a regional prison facility (RPF) in the province, marking a major step in the national government’s efforts to modernize the correctional system and ease congestion in existing penal institutions.
BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. and Southern Leyte Governor Damian Mercado signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) on November 28, paving the way for the construction of the new penitentiary on a 2,800-hectare property in Silago.
Catapang said the initiative supports Republic Act 10575, or the Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013, which mandates BuCor to upgrade correctional facilities and strengthen programs for the safe custody, reformation, and rehabilitation of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs). The development of regional prison facilities, he added, is central to this modernization push.
Under the agreement, BuCor will take charge of planning, designing, and coordinating technical aspects of the project, while the provincial government will assist in securing local permits, providing logistical support, and liaising with communities during implementation.
Silago was chosen due to its expansive land area and its strategic location in Eastern Visayas—about 165 kilometers from Abuyog town in Leyte, where the Leyte Regional Prison is currently situated.
Catapang also noted the long-term potential of the facility to serve beyond its corrections mandate, envisioning the area as a future special economic zone given its access to major seaports and airports.
“The proposed RPF can evolve into a special economic zone because of Silago’s strategic advantages. This opens opportunities for agro-industrial and eco-tourism development, which can support livelihood programs for PDLs and stimulate the local economy,” he said.
Governor Mercado welcomed the partnership, emphasizing its potential benefits both for prison decongestion efforts and the province’s development goals.
“The people of Southern Leyte welcome this initiative with optimism. We are committed to working closely with BuCor to ensure the project is implemented responsibly and sustainably,” he said.
Details on the project’s budget, construction schedule, capacity, and timeline have yet to be finalized.
The planned RPF in Silago forms part of BuCor’s broader effort to decentralize correctional services and relocate PDLs across various regions, reducing dependence on overcrowded national facilities such as the New Bilibid Prison.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
