MANILA — Prisons and penal facilities nationwide have been decongested by 69%, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) reported.

“Previously, congestion was at 356%. We have reduced it by 69%, bringing it down to 287%,” said BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.

The reduction was driven by the release of 10,000 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in 2025, described by Catapang as “record-breaking,” as well as the transfer of almost 14,000 PDLs within the New Bilibid Prison.

During the first three years of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term, nearly 18,000 PDLs were released at the end of their sentences, 5,000 granted parole, and 4,000 acquitted, contributing further to easing congestion.

Upcoming Facilities and Programs

BuCor will construct a “Supermax” facility in Occidental Mindoro, with a P1.5 billion allocation in 2026, increasing to P2 billion in 2027 and P2.5 billion in 2028, for a total of P6 billion.

“This Supermax ensures that convicted individuals are securely confined and cannot plan further crimes,” Catapang said.

The agency will also open a corrections academy near Tanay, Rizal, aiming to professionalize personnel and bring training standards in line with Singapore, Norway, and the U.S.

“We currently lack a correctional academy, which is necessary for modernizing our correctional system,” Catapang added.

These measures are part of ongoing efforts to reduce congestion, improve safety, and strengthen rehabilitation in the Philippine prison system.