Davao Prison and Penal Farm
DAVAO PENAL COLONY: The Davao Penal Colony is the first penal
Settlement founded and organized under Filipino administration. The
settlement, which originally had an area of approximately 30,000 hectares
in the districts of Panabo and Tagum, Davao del Norte, was formally
established on January 21, 1932 by virtue of Act No. 3732. This Act
authorized the Governor-General to lease or sell the lands, buildings and
improvements in San Ramon Prison and Iwahig Penal Colony. It also
granted authority to the Secretary of Justice to establish a new prison and
penal colony in a suitable public land. A budget of P500,000 was allocated.
Several committees, Governor Dwight Davis signed Proclamation No. 414
on October 7, 1931, which reserved a site for the penal colony in Dvao
province in Mindanao. The site offered ideal conditions for agricultural activities.
During World War II, the colony was converted into a concentration camp where more tan 1,000
Japanese internees were committed by the Philippine-American Armed Forces. The Japanese were treated in
accordance with the orders of the American commanding officer.
On December 20, 1941, the Japanese Imperial Forces attacked Davao and
the colony was among the establishments taken over by the invading army.
The entire settlement was thrown into confusion and a great number of
prisoners escaped. Normal operations were inevitably disturbed.
November 8, 1942, a representative of the Director of prisons transferred
the colony and its properties to the Japanese authorities. The remaining
colony employees, their families and the inmates evacuated to Iwahig
where they organized the Davao Penal Colony at Inagawan sub colony
(Palawan). The organization of the colony in exile was authorized by
virtue of Memorandum Order No. 60 dated June 28, 1943 and signed by
the Director of Prisons.
After the liberation of the Philippines, the colony-in-exile in Palawan returned to its old site in Davao. A
great deal of rebuilding and repair had to be done because the war had almost completely destroyed the colony.
http://www.bucor.gov.ph/facilities/dppf.html
Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm
SABLAYAN PRISON AND PENAL FARM: Nearer
to manila than other penal colonies, the Sablayan Penal
Colony is located in Occidental Mindoro and relatively
new. Established on September 26, 1954 by virtue of
Presidential Proclamation No. 72, the penal colony has a
total land area of approximately 16, 190 hectares.Prison
records show that the first colonists and employees
arrived in Sablayan on January 15, 1955. Since then
several buildings have been constructed , including the
colonists dormitories, employees quarters, guardhouse,
schoolhouse, chapel, recreation hall, and post exchange.
Three sub-colonies were later organized. One is a reservation which this day remains part of a protected
rainforest. Another is in a coastal area. The third was used by the national government as a relocation site for
refugees from the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991.
Sablayan prison is a facility where prisoners from NBP are brought for decongestion purposes. It follows
the same colony standards as other penal farms.
http://www.bucor.gov.ph/facilities/sppf.html
San RAMON Prison and Penal Farm
SAN RAMON PRISON AND PENAL FARM: According
to historical accounts, the San Ramon Prison was established
in Southern Zamboanga on Agust 21, 1870 through a royal
decree promulgated in 1869. Established during the tenure of
Governor General Ramon Blanco ( whose patron saint the
prison was named after ), the facility was originally
established for persons convicted of political crimes.
Considered the oldest penal facility in the country,
prisoners in San Ramon were required to do agricultural work.
During the Spanish-American War in 1898, the prisoners in San Ramon were hastily released and buildings
destroyed. In 1907, the American administration re-established the prison farm. In 1912, Gen. John Pershing,
chief executive of the Department of Mindanao and Sulu, classified the institution as a prison and penal colony
and therein confined people sentenced by courts under his jurisdiction. Under Pershing’s supervision, several
buildings with a capacity for 600 prisoners were constructed. After several years, the colony became practically
self supporting, with 75,000 coconut trees, which were planted at the beginning of Pershing’s administration,
contributing to the colony’s self-sufficiency. Aside form coconuts, rice, corn, papaya and other crops were also
cultivated.
On November 1, 1905, Reorganization Act No. 1407 was
approved creating the Bureau of Prisons under the Department of
Commerce and Police, integrating the Old Bilibid Prison, San
Ramon Penal Colony and Iwahig Penal. The Philippine Coconut
Authority took over management of the coconut farm from San
Ramon. In 1995, Congresswoman Maria Clara Lobregat
proposed the transfer of San Ramon Prison to Bongiao town, in
the mountainous area of Zamboanga, to give way to a special
economic zone.
http://www.bucor.gov.ph/facilities/srppf.html
Submitted by:
BS – CRIM 3-B
Submitted to:
Mr. JEREMIAH G. JODLOMAN
