275 BuCor staff to lose jobs over eligibility requirements

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Tuesday announced that 275 personnel were expected to lose their jobs by the weekend due to their failure to comply with the required eligibility and educational requirements under the Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013.

In a statement, BuCor said that under the law, personnel had five years from the date of the effectivity of the law to obtain the minimum educational qualification and eligibility.

According to BuCor, the Civil Service Commission approved the qualification standards in March 2018. Thus, the five-year period lapsed in March 2023.

However, in consideration of the difficulties brought by the coronavirus pandemic, BuCor said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla extended the deadline until March 16, 2024.

BuCor said that of the 421 employees initially listed for attrition, 41 filed their early retirement, while 105 complied with the eligibility and educational requirements.

This left 275 employees who were subject to attrition.

While BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang appealed for another extension, Remulla said he could not do this as extending the suspension could compromise the effectiveness of the attrition system.

“While the Department understands the difficulties suffered by the personnel during the COVID pandemic, it is essential to strike a balance between the exigencies of the service and the need to uphold the statutory requirements provided under RA 19575,” Remulla said. — DVM, GMA Integrated News