The Department of Justice (DOJ) is eyeing to build the “super-maximum” jail facility in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, its Secretary Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla said Thursday.

In an interview with reporters after the DOJ’s 2023 budget deliberation at the Senate, Remulla said they have requested Php 4 billion budget for the super-max prison.

“We are looking at 2,000 people lang naman eh. Maybe Php 2 million per prisoner when it comes to building a prison, maybe it will amount to that,” said.

Remulla said they are already coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“We're doing the studies now, the design. Everything has to be in by the end of the year. So that in New Year, we will start implementing already,” he said.

Remulla said the construction is expected to finish by 2023.

“If possible, if we can do it in 18 months, we will do it. We will give incentives to whoever will build it to finish it earlier,” he added.

The Justice Chief said the “convicted drug players” and other inmates who “should not be reached by anybody” would be transferred to the planned super-max prison.

Remulla earlier bared his plans of building an island prison in Mindoro to separate the inmates with heinous crimes.

He said this would help in decongesting overpopulated jails and also prevent inmates from doing illegal activities.