The city's 1st public safety officer

Friday, December 17, 2010

HE IS this city's first public safety officer -- retired Major Magno Adalin Jr. -- who is the consultant on Special Concerns under the Office of the City Mayor.

"My vision for Davao City will always be that the city maintains its peace and order. Without it, the city cannot prosper as it is experiencing now," Adalin said.

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Adalin, who was designated to the position on November 22, remains a consultant but was designated to administer an office. He explains this is because he ran during the previous barangay elections in his residence at Barangay Toril.

As the Davao City public safety officer, he has the following functions:

* Administer the day to day operations of the city's Public Safety Command Center (PSCC), which houses a state-of-the-art street monitoring system, as well as have the discretion to create policies.;

* Coordinate with the Davao City Police Office, Task Force Davao, and other law enforcement agencies;

* Exercise supervision and control of all personnel under the Civil Security Unit;

* Exercise supervision and control over the city government mobile patrols issued to the police;

* Coordination of Barangay Tanods;

* Handle the security plan for city government events; and to

* Handle security data and information pertaining to the city government.

Adalin said the city's security programs is unique in the country, more so with the establishment of the Public Safety Office.

"We are the only one in the country with the Central 911, which responds to all type of emergencies be it fire, accidents, or security. Tayo lang rin ang merong ganito ka-advanced na area monitoring system such as the PSCC and we even intend to improve this pa. With the Public Safety Office, the city would connect all of these under one office which I am in charge of," Adalin said.

Adalin added that the city is also unique on how it deals with the insurgency problem, specifically towards the New People's Army.

"It is true that insurgency is a national problem but I think it is only here that the local government officials extend their invitation to them to return to the fold of society especially during the Christmas season. I think it is quite admirable that both the Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and the City Mayor Sara Duterte has invited the rebels to break bread with us, to come into the city during Christmas but of course when they do they have to come in peace and leave their arms in the mountains," Adalin said.

Adalin recalled that last month, two NPA rebels surrendered to the Office of the City Mayor and have benefitted from the city's Rebel Returnee Program. He said he personnaly handled the two former rebels who wish to be reintegrated into the society.

"One of them was from Surigao and the other a resident here. After nilang mag-surrender, pinasyal namin sila sa mall. Bumili kami ng damit para sa kanila. Pinakain ng masarap na pagkain at pinanood ng sine. Ipinakita namin kung ano yung nakukuha ng ordinaryong tao dito sa city kung magtatrabaho ka ng maayos. At naapreciate naman nila yun. The Office of the City Mayor also found jobs for them at ngayon yung isa nasa Surigao na at yung isa naman nagtatrabaho na sa isang lechonan," he said.

"It felt fulfilling for me in the end. Nakita ko na gusto talaga nilang magbagong buhay and the city is happy to help them with that," Adalin said.

Adalin graduated with honors with a degree in Master of Public Administration majory in Public Policy and Program Administration from the University of the Southeastern Philippines this city.

He is member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 86. He finished Bachelor of Science in Engineering on 1981 at Notre Dame University in Cotabato City.

Adalin is the former officer in charge of the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal under the City Government of Davao since March 2007. At the same time, he was also the officer in charge of the Davao City Defense and Security Unit.

Upon the establishment of the Task Force Davao, Philippine Army, he became the first commanding officer of Task Group Aguila in 2005.

He held positions as executive officer of the Army's 73rd Infantry Batallion, 7th Infantry Division in 2005; and executive officer and operations officer of the 701st Infantry Brigade of the 7th Infantry Division during the same year.

In 2002, Adalin was Deputy JTF3 of Comet-3, JTF Comet, Southern Command, of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He was also Deputy G7 under Civil Military Operations, Office of the G7, 1st Infantry Division.

Adalin was Chief Administrative Officer at the Office of the G3 for Operations, Headquarters of the Philippine Army on 2001.

Within this period of time, he was also tasked as chief of (1) Civil Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu) Branch, HQ, PA; (2) Information Systems Branch, OG3, PA; Combat Analysis Section, CRSSB, OG3, PA.

In 1995, he was Deputy 63, Operations Officer, Office of the G3 for Operations, 6th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.

He also became Cafgu officer of the 6th Infantry Division, and Administrative Office of the 6th Infantry Division.

From 1886 to 1995, Adalin was assigned as Line Officer of various tactical and infantry units within the area of responsibility of Soccsksargen and Davao del Sur.

Adalin is happily married to Lorna Ruth and blessed with four children: Ramon Magno, 20; Leandro Magno, 19; Beatrice Faye, 17; and Bettina Mae, 15.