Biazon: Fast track implementation of “Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013”

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MANILA — Muntinlupa City Rep. Rodolfo Biazon on Wednesday said there is a need to speed up the implementation of Republic Act No. 10575, otherwise known as “The Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013” to thwart the entry of illegal drugs and other contrabands.

Biazon said the law which was signed into law on May 24, 2013 by President Benigno S. Aquino III aims to address the various challenges faced by the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

“I am urging that the implementation of the modernization of the BuCor as called for under this law be fast tracked and that funds should be allocated in this respect,” Biazon, one of the principal authors, said.

This include obsolete and overcrowded prison facilities and equipment, lack of personnel, including the absence of a rationalized system of recruitment, promotion and performance evaluation, and inequitable remuneration.

According to the veteran lawmaker, “As one of the major pillars of our justice system, the BuCor should be able to reform inmates that are confined in its correctional facilities.”

However, it is believed that prisoners who are admitted in its facilities, instead of getting reformed, turn out to be hardened criminals when they get out of prison.

RA 10575 aims to stop this as it provides for the modernization, professionalization and restructuring of the BuCor by upgrading its facilities and by increasing the number, upgrading the level of qualifications and standardizing the base pay, retirement and other benefits of its personnel, making it at par with that of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

He said that he plans to offer an amendment to the bill approved by the House committee on Appropriations increasing the subsistence allowance of AFP, PNP and other uniformed personnel so that it will also authorize the increase in the subsistence allowance of BuCor personnel.

He said this is intended to further alleviate the plight of BuCor personnel who are manning its prison facilities.

“Let us remember that, just like other uniformed personnel in the government, their lives are also at stake as they perform their duties,” Biazon stressed.