Former Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon took his oath Wednesday as the new Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director general.
Faeldon took his oath of office before Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra at the Department of Justice (DoJ) in Manila, a day after President Duterte signed his appointment papers.
During the meeting, DoJ spokesman Undersecretary Markk Perete said Guevarra instructed Faeldon to act on his priorities which should be addressed at the BuCor. These are illegal drug trading, congestion and security of prisoners, and the possibility of erecting a new prison facility.
“Because of congestion and certain security concerns, the other facilities would have to be relocated elsewhere,” Perete explained to reporters.
The spokesman noted that the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City has a capacity of 10,072 inmates.
“Current population is 27,071. That’s around 170 percent of capacity,” he said.
“Nationwide, overcapacity in BuCor facilities is estimated at 30 percent,” he added.
The spokesman said a formal turnover of responsibilities for Faeldon is expected to take place next week.
“Secretary and the director general will meet by next week after the formal turnover of responsibilities,” he disclosed.
On the other hand, Perete said Faeldon has already been meeting with officials of the BuCor and will use the rest of the week in visiting Bilbid.
Faeldon replaced retired Police National Police (PNP) chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.
Dela Rosa resigned as BuCor chief so he can file his certificate of candidacy for a Senate seat in 2019. (Jeffrey Damicog)