Personnel of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) have been instructed to refrain from seeking gifts, whether monetary or in kind, during the holiday season. The directive was issued by Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. as a precaution against corrupt activities, according to a statement released by BuCor on Tuesday, December 12.
The directive applies to all BuCor Commissioned and Non-Commissioned Officers, Employees, and Personnel under service of contract, urging them to avoid soliciting gifts from Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs), PDLs’ families or relatives, private enterprises, and the general public while conducting official business during the Christmas Season’s Celebration.
This move comes after the implementation of a cashless system at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City. The cashless system is part of Director General Catapang’s efforts to eliminate corruption and illegal activities involving cash transactions within prison camps. Not only prisoners, but also corrections officers are prohibited from possessing cash under this policy.
Under the cashless system, PDLs were required to deposit their cash and were given a passbook to track their transactions for transparency. This passbook allows them to purchase goods or commodities at the Inmate Post Exchange (IPX).
The BuCor’s cashless system and the new directive for personnel are steps towards promoting transparency and integrity within the organization.
