The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) is urging lawmakers to raise the medical allowance for prisoners from P15 to at least P30, citing inadequate funds for healthcare.
BuCor chief Gregorio Catapang Jr. highlighted initiatives like the “Hardin ng Lunas,” where inmates grow herbal medicines to address health needs.
The bureau has been decongesting prisons since 2022, reducing occupancy from 313% to 243%, as overcrowding has contributed to illness and deaths among inmates.
Catapang reported that 732 prisoners died under his watch, with half of the deaths linked to congestion-related diseases.
He also called for a medical parole bill for inmates aged 70 and above or those with chronic illnesses to allow them to return to their families.
Source: PhilNews24 | October 24, 2025
