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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 790

Introduced by HON. ROZZANO RUFINO B. BIAZON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This proposal secks to transfer the New Bilibid Prison from its current location in
Muntinlupa City to Tanay, Rizal.

Countless studies, reports and articles have been made about the national penitentiary,
the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City, They all point out to one thing ~ it is
overcrowded and is in a deplorable state,

‘The overcrowding has resulted to what may be considered sub-human living conditions
for those incarcerated in the NBP. This gives rise to sickness brought about by poor sanitary
and health conditions, outbreak of violence among inmates due to conflicts for space, and at
environment that is not conducive to reform and rehabilitation. These deplorable conditions
have prompted wealthy inmates to bribe prison officials in order to live more comfortable lives
and enjoy some special privileges while serving their sentences in the NBP. Such a corrupt
system also opened opportunities for enterprising inmates to engage in illegal activities like
drugs, prostitution and gambling to earn enough money to buy special privileges while
incarcerated.

Its location in an urban center has also become an untenable situation as this has made
act to the NBP easier and facilitated criminal activities within, aside from posing danger to
residents in the surrounding areas. The time has come to transfer the national penitentiary and
build a modern facility that is secure, able to perform its mandate to rehabilitate and reform
inmates and far from an urban area.

On September 8, 2006, Proclamation No. 1158 reserved Two Hundred Seventy (270)
hectares in a titled property of the Republic of the Philippines located in Barangay Cuyambay,
Municipality of Tanay, Province of Rizal as the new site of the New Bilibid Prison under the
Department of Justice. This presence of an available location will facilitate the transfer of the
NBP from its present location.

In view of the foregoing, the early passage of this bill is earnestly sought. '

ROZZANO tag. J B. BIAZON

Representative
Lone District of Muntinlupa City

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City '

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bili No, 790

Introduced by HON. ROZZANO RUFINO B. BIAZON

AN ACT
TRANSFERRING THE NEW BILIBID PRISON FROM BARANGAY POBLACION,
MUNTINLUPA CITY TO BARANGAY CUYAMBAY, MUNICIPALITY OF TANAY,
PROVINCE OF RIZAL

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of wi
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Declaration of Principles and Policies. — The State hereby commits itself
to the reformation and rehabilitation of inmates confined in correctional facilities. It shall
establish a national prison system that shall be able to transform inmates into responsible
members of society and productive citizens of the country once again. Toward this end, there
is a need ‘o transfer the New Bilibid Prison and build a more secure prison facility with
adequate and qualified personne! and facilities to ensure the rehabilitation and transformation
of inmates confined therein.

Sec. 2. Transfer of the New Bilibid Prison. ~The Department of Justice (DOJ) is hereby
mandated to carry out the transfer of the New Bilibid Prison from its current site at Barangay
Poblacion, Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila, to Barangay Cuyambay, Municipality of Tanay,
Province of Rizal. The DOJ shall be responsible for the performance and coordination of all
tasks and activities related to the transfer of the New Bilibid Prison, including the preparation
of the (echnical plans for the new site, the procurement of works and services, and the
development and management of the new correctional facility. The DOJ shall perform such
functions in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and such other concerneg
government agencies.

‘The DOJ, the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Department of Budget and
Management (DBM) are hereby tasked to study and come up with viable financial schemes in
order to carry out the transfer of the NBP. Within six (6) months from the date of the effectivity
of this Act, the DOJ, DOF and DBM shall jointly report to Congress on such financial schemes.


Sec. 3. Separability Clause. ~ If for any reason, any section or provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other sections or provisions hereof, unaffected thereby,
shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Sec. 4. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders and rules and
regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended
accordingly.

Sec. 5.
any two (2) ne

fectivity, — This Act shall take eff
vspapers of general circulation,

1 fifteen (15) days after its publication in

Approved,