Manila: Prison facilities across the country are observing a week-long visitation initiative this week as part of the National Correctional Consciousness Week (NCCW). In a statement, BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. stated that the initiative aims to foster family solidarity and enhance familial ties among persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

According to Philippines News Agency, this effort is also part of the Bureau of Corrections’ (BuCor) ongoing commitment to humane treatment and rehabilitation, aligning with the objectives of the NCCW celebration. The BuCor announced that visiting hours in all its operating prison and penal farms (OPPFs) will be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. from October 20 to 25.

Regular visiting days in various OPPFs are from Wednesday to Sunday, except for the PDLs at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) maximum security compound, which is scheduled from Tuesday to Sunday. Director General Catapang has instructed all relevant personnel to ensure the safe, orderly, and secure conduct of the visiting activities in their respective jurisdictions, adhering to security and health protocols.

Meanwhile, as part of efforts to decongest the NBP and prepare for its eventual closure by 2028, 500 PDLs were transferred on Tuesday from the NBP to the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga City. NBP acting Superintendent Corrections Chief Inspector Roger Boncales reported that the PDLs departed from the Port of Manila at 2 a.m., escorted by 150 law enforcement personnel, and are expected to arrive in Zamboanga by Thursday.