1,085 new BuCor officers sworn in

MANILA, Philippines — Up to 1,085 new corrections officers yesterday took their oath of office prior to their deployment to prisons across the country, the Bureau of Corrections said.

BuCor chief Gregorio Catapang Jr. officiated the oath-taking of 1,000 newly hired corrections officers 1 and 85 attrition cycle recruits at the bureau’s compound in Muntinlupa City.

“I don’t want misfits in the BuCor. What we need are men and women of integrity, patriotism and those who can be trusted to serve the country,” Catapang told the corrections officers.

Of the number of BuCor recruits, 264 are from the New Bilibid Prison, 200 each from Davao and Iwahig Prison and Penal Farms, 140 from Leyte Region Prison, 100 from San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm and 96 from Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm.

Of the 85 attrition cycle recruits, 71 are corrections officers 1 and 14 are technical officers 1.

Healthcare services

The BuCor assured inmates confined in corrections facilities under the bureau of healthcare services around the clock.

Catapang made the assurance during the signing of the National Policy on Promotion and Protection of Health in Jails, Prisons, Custodial Facilities and Other Places of Detention at the Manila Hotel yesterday.

Catapang said access to healthcare is one of the basic needs of inmates under the Constitution.