TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 JUL 15 All :21 First Regular Session ) RECE: SENATE S. No. 614 Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla AN ACT ESTABLISHING PENITENTIARY SYSTEMS IN REGIONS I, II, III, V, VI, VIII, IX, X, XII, AND XIII TO DECONGEST THE NEW BILIBID PRISON (NBP) AND OTHER PENAL FARMS AND PROVINCES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Over the past years, numerous bills, news reports, studies, and journal articles have stressed the need to address the congestion issues in the New. Bilibid Prison (NBP) and other penal farms. While that remains a pressing issue, this representation wants to focus more on the impact of far incarceration of persons serving final judgment from their families. Article XV Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution declares the State's recognition of the Filipino family as the foundation of the nation. It is duty bound to strengthen its solidarity and actively promote its total development. In furtherance of this mandate, the State is required to afford the same protections even to incarcerated individuals and their families. At present, we have seven (7) national penitentiary institutions: (1) the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City which accounts for 60% of the inmates in the national prison system, (2) the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City, (3) the Iwahig Penal Colony in Puerto Prinsesa City, Palawan, (4) San Ramon Prison And Penal Farm is at Zamboanga City, (5) Sablayan Prison And Penal Farm (SPPF) is situated at Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro; (6) Leyte Regional Prison (LRP) in Brgy. Mahagna, Abuyog, Leyte; and (7) the Davao Prison and Penal Farm in Panabo, Davao.
With very limited penitentiary institutions nationwide, it appears that visits among families become a mere privilege given the challenges on the distance of the penal facility and the needed costs for transportation and accommodation per family members' visit. Recognizing therefore the paramount role of the family in providing emotional, moral, and psychosocial support to every person serving final judgment, this measure is being proposed to widen the opportunities of families and other support groups to pay a visit to their loved ones inside the penitentiaries. Ultimately, this bill seeks to create additional regional penal institutions not only to address the severe congestion in the country's jails and prisons, but to also ensure the welfare of persons serving final judgment as they await their reintegration to society. In this regard, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. ROBINHOOD PADILLA sonator P
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 25 JUL 15 All :21 First Regular Session SENATE RECEILDN S. No. 614 Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla AN ACT ESTABLISHING PENITENTIARY SYSTEMS IN REGIONS I, II, III, V, VI, VIII, IX, X, XII, AND XIII TO DECONGEST THE NEW BILIBID PRISON (NBP) AND OTHER PENAL FARMS AND PROVINCES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Regional Penitentiaries
Act."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Section 5 of Article II states that "[tihe
maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and the 5 promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of 6 the blessings of democracy." It is the policy of the State to value human dignity and guarantee full respect for human rights regardless of any wrongful act or omission done. The State likewise adopts the mandate under Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that "no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment." Among others, an adequate standard of living for our prisoners, including decent accommodations, is considered a human right.
Sec. 3. Creation of Regional Penal Farms. - The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor)
shall establish and operate additional penal farms in regions I, I1, II1, V, VI, VI, 1X, 15 X, XII, and XIII to decongest existing penal institutions and accommodate the increasing number of inmates committed to the agency.
Sec. 4. Facilities. - Each penal farm established pursuant to this Act shall
operate with standard and uniform design of prison facilities, reformation facilities, and administrative facilities, such as the following: a. Dormitory; b. Administration building; C. Perimeter/Security fences; d. Hospital/Infirmary; e. Recreation/Multipurpose hall; f. Training/Lecture center; g. Workshop facility; h. Mess hall/kitchen; i. Visiting area; j. Water tank and pump; k. Reception and diagnostic center; I. Service personnel facilities; and m. Other structures deemed relevant to the operations of jail facilities.
Sec. 5. Roles and Functions of the BuCor. - The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor)
is hereby mandated to: a. Create an Infrastructure Plan which shall begin not later than six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act, to be completed not later than five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act; b. Coordinate the construction of regional penitentiaries, whenever necessary, with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), local government units concerned, and such other concerned government agencies; c. Carry out the decentralization and transfer of prisoners incarcerated In the national penitentiaries to regional penal farms, including the performance and coordination of ail tasks and activities, pursuant to this Act; and d. Ensure the implementation of the provisions stipulated in this Act.
Sec. 6. Determination of Budgetary Requirements. - For the foregoing purpose,
the DOJ, DBM, and DPWH are mandated to determine the budgetary requirements for the establishment of the aforementioned regional penal farms. Within six (6) months from the date of effectivity of this Act, the DOJ, DBM, and the DPWH shall jointly report to Congress on such budgetary requirements.
Sec. 7. Appropriations. - Such amounts as may be necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Act shall be Included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be held
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect. Sed. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, issuances, and rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 4 repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,