The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has stood pat on its decision that closed or limited the public use of one of the roads passing through the reservation of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.
The blocked road, known as the Insular Prison Road from the Southville 3 of the National Housing Authority (NHA) leading to the NBP compound, has caused an uproar among residents and motorists.
Last March 21, the BuCor said the closure of the road was done to protect the maximum security prison inside the NBP.
It said “there is another big highway within the NBP land that NHA Southville 3 can use as alternate route.” It lamented that motorists have been accustomed to using the closed road for almost 15 years as a shortcut.
Last April 16, Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra had an online meeting with BuCor officials and representatives of the Muntinlupa City government, NHA and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
“The BuCor was adamant in its position to close the Insular Road,” Guevarra recounted.
“We are still exploring options and will conduct an ocular inspection at an opportune time,” he assured.
He said he will conduct an ocular inspection once the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) has been lifted in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Even Muntinlupa City Rep. Rozzano Rufino “Ruffy” B. Biazon has registered his objection to the closure of the road in a letter to Guevarra last March 22.
Among other things, Biazon told Guevarra that “... this unilateral action taken by the Bureau of Corrections was done without proper coordination and consultation with my office, the City Government of Muntinlupa and the people who will be primarily affected by such closure.”
Biazon also said “the closure of the road, most especially at this time of a pandemic, is very inconsiderate of the plight of our constituents in Muntinlupa City.”
Biazon’s letter and the concerns raised by motorists and residents before the DOJ prompted Guevarra to meet with stakeholders involved in the blocked road.