SPECIAL economic zones will soon be established in certain properties owned by the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) in various parts of the country.

A memorandum of agreement is scheduled to be signed on Tuesday, January 30, between the BuCor and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to pave the way for the establishment of ecozones inside BuCor compounds and facilities.

The agreement will be signed by BuCor director general Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. and PEZA director general Tereso Panga.

Catapang said BuCor may opt to plan, develop, operate and segregate a portion of its land for the use of special economic zones under Republic Act (RA) 10575, otherwise known as the "Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013."

He said RA 10575 also provides that BuCor's lands shall be used for inmates' security, reformation programs, and as a means to promote sustainability, both for income and non-income generating programs, with or without partnerships among nongovernment, civic organizations or other government entities.

Catapang pointed out that the BuCor can be a vital partner in attracting foreign direct investments and in creating economic opportunities within the PEZA legal framework.

Both agencies will cooperate and identify portions of BuCor properties that can be developed as economic zones with a special focus on Palawan as an agricultural and economic zone that can contribute to food security.

Maximizing the utility of land acquired by penal colonies to generate more opportunities for the BuCor's development was discussed during the first command conference of the bureau in 2024 which was presided over by Catapang.

Catapang said the BuCor has a total land area of 48,783.31 hectares that can be converted for agro- and aqua-culture sites and economic zones.

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