Friday, May 16, 2008 'Balik Eskwela' cops graduate By Ernie Olson Jr.
EIGHTY-three police officers graduated with a baccalaureate degree of Bachelor of Science in Criminology through the "Balik Eskwela" program of the Philippine National Police (PNP) last Thursday.
Superintendent Mariano Verzosa Jr., Police Regional Office (PRO)-Ilocos Region public information officer, the program for undergraduate policemen was initiated under a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the University Of La Salette, based in Santiago City, Isabela for the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditations Program (Eteeap) which is offered on a trimester basis.
PRO-Ilocos Regional Director Romeo Hilomen also expressed his gratitude to his former classmate, Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil, who started the program during his stint as regional director there on June 18, 2007.
Hilomen appreciated and congratulated his men who participated in the Eteeap and vowed to continue the successful program.
He said Bataoil encouraged the undergraduate policemen in the Ilocos Region to pursue their baccalaureate courses after providing them a counterpart for their tuition, fares, meals and snacks for every scheduled class.
Bataoil, who is now the chief of the PNP Directorate for Police Community Relations and who was the guest of honor and keynote speaker during Thursday's graduation rites, congratulated the graduates for successfully completing their college education.
He said it is a fulfillment of his vision to give a chance to undergraduate policemen to obtain college degrees and give them a better chance of promotion.
The graduates are assigned at various police units within the region.
