Manila, April 20 -- The Bureau of Corrections (Bucor) is set to construct a new regional prison facility, the country's first since the last was built 53 years ago in Leyte during the administration of former Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.

BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. on Monday led the groundbreaking for a PHP470-million new correctional facility to be built on a 60-hectare property donated by the provincial government of Nueva Ecija in Palayan City.

The state-of-the-art facility, scheduled for completion next year, is designed to accommodate up to 7,500 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

It will include key components such as maximum, medium and minimum-security camps; a reception and diagnostic center; a drug treatment ...