NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
SEN
S.B. No. ^^5
^ettate
of t!je
72 JUL-7 P6 *02
RUCEIVC) B't.
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.
BINJHDOD PADILLA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE } 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES }
First Regular Session 
)
Senate
i0fftcr of lijc
•22 JUL-7 P6fl2
SENATE
S.B. No.
Rf-CtlVtOBV;
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
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the 'Regional 
Penitentiaries Act"
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - Section 5 of Article II states that "[t]he 
maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and the 
promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of 
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.
Section 3. Creation of Regional Pena! Farms. -The Bureau of Corrections 
(BuCor) shall establish and operate additional penal farms in regions I, II, III, V, VI, 
VIII, IX, X, XII, and XIII to decongest existing penal institutions and accommodate 
the increasing number of inmates committed to the agency.
Section 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:


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1. 
Dormitory;
2. 
Administration building;
3. 
Perimeter/Security fences;
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Hospital/Infirmary;
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Recreation/Multipurpose hall;
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Training/Lecture center;
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Workshop facility;
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Mess hall/kitchen;
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Visiting area;
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Water tank and pump;
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Reception and diagnostic center;
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Service personnel facilities; and
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Other structures deemed relevant to the operations of jail facilities.
Section 5. Rotes and Functions of the BuCor. -The Bureau of Corrections 
(BuCor) is hereby mandated to:
1. 
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;
2. 
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;
3. 
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
4. Ensure the implementation of the provisions stipulated in this Act.
Section 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.
Section 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.
Section 8. Separabitity Ctause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is 
declared Invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in full force 
and effect.


Section 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations, which are inconsistent with this Ad are hereby repealed, or modified 
accordingly.
Section 10. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,