Despite release, transfer of PDLs, Bilibid still 358% congested -- BuCor

The number of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City has decreased as of Nov.30, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said on Monday, Dec. 4.

BuCor said that from 29,811 PDLs last Oct. 31, the number was reduced to 29,442 as of Nov. 30.

But BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. said that the NBP, which can house only 6,435 PDLs, is congested by as much as 358 per cent.

As of November 30, 2023, NBP and BuCor's six other prison facilities have 51,862 PDLs. 

“As compared to other countries talagang congested tayo (We are really congested compared to other countries),” Catapang said.

He expressed hopes that the congestion can be addressed in the coming National Jail Decongestion Summit on Dec. 6 and 7 in Manila.

He said that BuCor's facilities have a total capacity of 12,000 PDLs.

“So may excess tayo na 40,000 (So we have an excess of 40,000),” he also said.