Muntinlupa: The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said Tuesday that 15,730 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) have been transferred since 2022 to penal farms nationwide as part of the plan to eventually close and redevelop the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa by 2028.

According to Philippines News Agency, BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. stated that the latest batch was composed of 100 PDLs who were transferred on Monday from NBP to the Leyte Regional Prison. Catapang explained that the planned closure of NBP presents both challenges and opportunities for BuCor, as discussed in BuCor's recent marketing summit focused on the future use of NBP's expansive property.

The prison compound sits on a vast tract of land totaling 375.61 hectares, with 160 hectares set aside for purely commercial leasing arrangements and an additional 106 hectares designated for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or Joint Venture (JV) agreements. This plan aims to generate stable and sustainable revenue streams to fund BuCor's ongoing development and modernization programs.

Catapang emphasized, 'This strategic move not only paves the way for redevelopment but also represents a forward-looking approach to asset management for sustainable institutional growth.' Despite the leasing arrangements, he clarified that ownership of all assets will remain firmly with the government.

He assured that no properties will be sold, and lessees will pay lease rates projected to range from PHP65 to PHP100 per square meter per month, inclusive of value-added tax. Based on these rates, annual revenues from the 160-hectare commercial portion alone could range from PHP1.25 billion to PHP1.92 billion.