DOJ to look into eviction notice sent to residents around NBP facility

MANILA, Philippines – Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Monday said he will look into reports that utilities around the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) have been cut off after its residents received a 15 -day notice from the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) to vacate the area

Guevarra said there is still no final decision on the transfer of NBP.

“No final decision yet on transfer of NBP and possible new location. There are at least three options under consideration. Will check on reported cutting off of utilities,” Guevarra told reporters.

The residents were reportedly ordered the vacate the 366.7 hectare land area within 15 days to give way for mixed-use projects.

Residents around the prison facility appealed to the government to give them the land that they have been occupying through an affordable housing project.

READ: NBP residents ask gov’t for affordable housing

The transfer of the prison facility to Laur, Nueva Ecija was part of the previous administration’s modernization plan, including regionalization of BuCor prison facilities.

The BuCor Modernization Act aims to institutionalize restorative and reformative justice to enable inmates to be accepted back in society.

The planned transfer of the NBP to Nueva Ecija had an estimated budget of P50 billion.

The plan, however, was shelved after several bidding postponements in 2016. / gsg