Tuesday, November 27, 2007 Napolcom banks on POCs to bring peace efforts to grassroots By Elsa Subong
THE regional office of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) said it is banking on the more than 80 percent functional Peace and Order Councils (POCs) in the region to filter down to the grass roots the peace efforts of the government.
Lawyer Cheryll Librero, summary hearing officer of the Napolcom 6, said the POCs are regularly meeting and discussing the peace and order situations in their respective areas and are expected to come up with measures to address them.
Librero said Napolcom is working closely with the DILG in seeing to it that the LGUs have Integrated Safety Plans that do not only deal with peace and order concerns but also other factors like socio-economic, political and social services, which contribute to the attainment of peace and order in the areas.
DILG Regional Director Evelyn Trompeta said the LGUs are again directed to reorganize and operate POCs along with their anti-poverty councils because in many instances, lawlessness and violence are caused by poverty, whether perceived or actual.
Librero also said they are also encouraging the LGUs in Western Visayas to effectively mobilize the 81,000 tanods and trained volunteers to help in peacekeeping efforts of government in the grassroots.
"Police community relations activities and peace and order community consultations are also encouraged," Librero said.
Director Trompeta, on the other hand, said their regional office is considering a regular and close monitoring of how LGUs follow the guidelines on the use of the intelligence funds and the peace and order funds being released to them. (PIA 6)
