BoC hit for blocking access road inside NBP
MUNTINLUPA City Rep. Ruffy Biazon on Tuesday strongly condemned the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) for blocking another access road inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Reservation.
“We are strongly protesting the haphazard policy decisions of BuCor Director General Gerald Bantag. Not only are his actions irrational and unlawful, they are also eroding the relationship between BuCor and the people and local government of Muntinlupa,” Biazon said.
“It is unfortunate that Director General Bantag has decided to order the construction of another wall, this time blocking access to and from Type B in the NBP Reservation, when we are still in the middle of talks regarding the wall they built along Insular Prison Road in March,” he added.
Biazon said they were surprised to learn last Sunday that Bantag had ordered the construction of a concrete wall blocking the access of residents to and from Type B, again without proper notice to or coordination with local officials.
“This is the Insular Road incident all over again where no proper coordination whatsoever was made with the City Government of Muntinlupa and the barangay prior to the implementation of the order from BuCor. And just like the first wall they built, this wall is also illegal and is a nuisance as defined by Article 694 of the Civil Code for obstructing and interfering with the free passage of a public street,” he said.
The lawmaker once again stressed that the walls built by BuCor compromise the safety, security, and health of the affected residents because they are blocking the most accessible entryways into Southville 3 and Type B, which enable police, fire, and emergency services to quickly respond should the need arise.
The lawmaker said he has already informed Justice Sec. Menardo Guevarra of Bantag’s latest order, with Gueverra apologizing for the BuCor’s lack of notice to and prior coordination with the City Government of Muntinlupa.
Biazon also wrote to House committee on justice chair Vicente Veloso requesting for a public hearing on House Resolution (HR) No. 1666, which directs the House committee on good government and public accountability to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the closure of Insular Prison Road in the NBP Reservation by the BuCor. HR No. 1666 was referred to the Committee on Justice on May 18.
“In the interest of justice in this time of the pandemic, it is my fervent hope that this request by this humble representation may be given immediate and due consideration by your honorable Committee,” Biazon said in his letter to Veloso.
The Insular Prison Road incident earlier caused tensions to flare between BuCor personnel and residents of Southville 3 in Barangay Poblacion in March after residents woke up to find several portions of the access road already blocked by concrete walls.
Biazon was the first government official to respond to the situation. He lamented that the BuCor also did not make any attempt to consult those who would be directly affected, including Southville 3 residents and usual users of the Insular Prison Road.
The Insular Prison Road in the New Bilibid Prison Reservation gives residents of Southville 3, a socialized housing project of National Housing Authority (NHA), access to and from the Poblacion proper and city proper of Muntinlupa.
