PPP Center to assist BuCor

THE Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center said it is ready to assist the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) in developing the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) property and other BuCor assets through PPPs.

In a statement on Thursday, the PPP Center said it participated in the market sounding activity for the redevelopment of BuCor assets ahead of the planned transfer of the NBP by 2028.

“The PPP Center, as the lead oversight and monitoring agency in the Philippine PPP program, is always ready to actively assist the BuCor in ensuring that they can confidently handle these prospective PPP projects in the future,” it said.

PPP Center Undersecretary and Executive Director Rizza Blanco-Latorre said the projects will allow BuCor to maximize the economic value of its assets while modernizing the country’s correctional system.

The center said it has pledged support through capacity building, knowledge sharing, and guidance on institutional arrangements, legal processes, and other key considerations throughout the project life cycle.

During the event, BuCor presented its redevelopment vision for the NBP reservation property and the different pathways for private sector participation.

The proposal covers a 160-hectare portion of the NBP property for purely commercial leasing arrangements and another 106 hectares earmarked for PPP or joint venture agreements.

“This strategic move aims to generate steady revenue to support BuCor’s ongoing development and modernization plan,” said BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang, Jr.

“The arrangement will be structured as a commercialized long-term lease with all improvements made on the property remaining the sole property of BuCor, ensuring no divestment of government assets,” he added.

BuCor said revenues generated from the project would help fund its prison decongestion program, infrastructure modernization, rehabilitation initiatives for persons deprived of liberty, and staff capability enhancement programs.

Among the companies that expressed interest were Robinsons Land, Double Dragon Corp., Solaire Properties, Inc., Asian Center of Entrepreneurship and Real Estate, Inc., SM Prime Holdings, Inc., and the New San Jose Builders, Inc. — Justine Irish D. Tabile