In yet another testament to its brand as the pioneer Criminal Justice Educational Institution in the country, Philippine College of Criminology (PCCR) recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor). With this joint effort, both institutions aim to improve and transform the lives of their stakeholders through the various programs agreed upon.

Signing the MOA on behalf of PCCR was President Ma. Angelica Lei G. Bautista, while Training Division Acting Chief C/Supt. Robert Veneracion represented the bureau. Other officers present at the signing were the Administrative Staff of the BuCor Training Division CO1 Benjamin Tobias III and CO1 Leah Pacete, together with PCCR Administration Officials Executive Vice President Karim Bangcola, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Noel Sergio, College of Criminal Justice Dean Dr. Jezreel Vicente, Student Experience Head Eduard Solomon, and Business Development Head Joms Melad.

The MOA aims to further improve the quality of Criminology Education provided by PCCR with Student Internship at the Bureau, firsthand knowledge enhancement by visiting the correctional facility and its function in law enforcement, as well as Trainings for students to further understand the long term purpose of the correctional institution. In turn, BuCor personnel will also be invited as PCCR Guest Lecturers to discuss Bureau-related topics, together with Research efforts that will benefit both the school and the bureau. BuCor was also given a full scholarship for ten nominees chosen by the bureau to complete their Bachelor’s Degree in PCCR.

Having studied at the Manila Law College in the early 2000s, C/Supt. Veneracion revealed that he is overjoyed at the partnership between PCCR and BuCor, and hopes to contribute further by helping out to produce more Batang 641 achievers and Criminologist Licensure Examination (CLE) Topnotchers in the years to come. He also advocates the long term, dynamic, and transformational nature of the BuCor toward its inmates, which is aligned with PCCR’s slogan of “Transforming Lives because we care”.

The partnership is also a first step toward developing BuCor’s dream of a Correctional Academy, which will also help to enhance the bureau’s Career Development Program. With the help of PCCR Educators, the joint effort will not only benefit the members of the BuCor, but the system and the institution as well, through combined research efforts as done by the PCCR Faculty and Students and implemented by the bureau.