BUREAU of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. has promised to transform the national penitentiary’s Sunken Garden into a permanent sports facility and football training ground.
He disclosed his plan during the Football Festival Exhibition Game, where persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) from New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Minimum Security Camp showcased their skills.
The football event, held Saturday at the Sunken Garden, was organized by Football Club Bilibid (FCB) manager Rafael Misa as part of BuCor’s National Correctional Consciousness Week celebration.
“This is not merely a promise but a concrete step towards fulfilling the vision of Mayor Biazon and to show the agency’s support in promoting healthy activities and providing opportunities for talent cultivation in the city,” said Catapang, highlighting the commitment to building a community-centered sports facility.
The Sunken Garden, managed jointly by BuCor and the Muntinlupa City Government, has a famed history.
Initially a food production area for inmates and employees in the 1940s, it was partly converted into a mini-forest park in 2007. Now, this iconic space is set to foster athletic skill and personal development.
Mayor Ruffy Biazon, also present at the game, expressed support for the initiative, affirming his administration’s dedication to enhancing sports infrastructure throughout the city.
“Sports activities are essential to child development as [they foster] camaraderie and sportsmanship,” said Biazon.
The FCB, under Misa’s management, has been instrumental in promoting football among local youth. The organization has facilitated college scholarships for aspiring athletes, including scholars from San Beda College, University of Perpetual Help and Far Eastern University.
Also, the FCB has supported a ladies’ team from Muntinlupa High School that represented the National Capital Region in the recent Palarong Pambansa.
BuCor’s initiative not only underscores the value of sports in personal and community growth but also marks a new chapter in the city’s vision to become a sports hub.
As Catapang emphasized, the initiative creates a space for social inclusion and empowerment, building a path for community members and PDLs to transform their lives through sports.
Be the first to comment