We are informed that most local government units are not financially able to remit male national prisoners i.e. those sentenced to imprisonment of more than three (3) years, from their jails to the New Bilibid Prison, the main national penitentiary at Muntinlupa.  The Bureau of Corrections, on the other hand, finds an urgent need to modify the present practice of committing all national prisoners directly to the New Bilibid Prison.  The subsequent movement of prisoners from said main prison to the other national penal institutions is an onerous financial burden for said Bureau and poses grave security problems.  The Bureau of Corrections has, therefore, recommended that a Court, instead of committing national prisoners to the New Bilibid Prison send them to the other national penal institutions located within or close to the region where the Court sits.  This will minimize the movement of prisoners within the national penal system and result in their confinement in prisons that are nearer their families.

In the light of the foregoing, Provincial and City Prosecutors are hereby directed to file with the proper court, immediately after the promulgation of the judgment convicting a national prisoner, a manifestation requesting said court to commit the prisoner directly to the national penal institutions as indicated hereunder:

1.  National prisoners in Regions X and XI - to be committed to the Davao Prison and Penal Farm at Panabo, Davao del Norte;
2. National prisoners in Regions IX and XII - to be committed to the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm at Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur;
3. National prisoners in Region VIII - to be committed to the Leyte Regional Prison at Abuyog, Leyte;
4. National prisoners in Palawan and Puerto Princesa City - to be committed to the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm at Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; and
5. National prisoners in Mindoro Oriental and Mindoro Occidental - to be committed to the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm at Sablayan, Mindoro Occidental.

It is understood that:

a. All female national prisoners shall continue to be committed to the Correctional Institution for Women at Mandaluyong, Metro Manila.

b. All other national male prisoners not included in the foregoing enumeration shall be committed to the New Bilibid Prison at Muntinlupa, Metro Manila.

This Circular shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 15 Jan. 1991

(SGD.) FRANKLIN M. DRILLON

Secretary