BuCor, PEZA sign MOU for economic zones

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the creation of economic zones, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

In a statement, the DOJ said PEZA will help identify idle lands within the penal farms of BuCor that have the potential to become economic zones.

“Itong MOU namin sa PEZA will help BuCor a lot to make BuCor relevant, ‘yun nga, sustainable and respected. Kasi nga itong lupa naman namin, napakalaki,” BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said.

Catapang said that aside from food security, the zones will be used for climate change adaptation.

“[PEZA] will help us identify kung ano ‘yung mga industries na pwedeng itayo doon. Let’s say, ‘yun nga, solar. Baka meron pwedeng wind,” Catapang said.

“They want energy. Renewable energy. Clean energy,” he later added.

The Director General, Justice Undersecretary Deo Marco, PEZA Deputy Director General Maria Veronica Magsino, and PEZA Director General Tereso Panga spearheaded the signing ceremony. 

Meanwhile, Catapang said they have already put up the Barrio Libertad, where PDLS be allowed to live with their families while serving their sentence, in Iwahig.

“‘Yung hindi nakakulong ‘yung mga PDL. ‘Yun nag sisimula na kami,” he said.

Catapang previously said he was looking to turn the BuCor headquarters in Muntinlupa into a "Global City."  –Joahna Lei Casilao/ VAL, GMA Integrated News