CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—In a bid to intensify reinforcement in curbing criminality in the province Governor Lilia Nanay Pineda on Tuesday, convened some 4,000 bantay bayan volunteers from the 4th district at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.
The lady governor said “from the time she assumed the gubernatorial seat, Pampanga has been declared, the most peaceful province in Central Luzon”.
In addition, “with the newly appointed woman director and first ever in PDEA’s history, she’s hopeful that her dream of a drug-free Pampanga will finally materialize”, the governor said.
Chairman of the Committee on Peace and Order and Public Safety/3rd District Board Member Rosve Henson, 4th district Board members Ricardo Yabut and Nestor Tolentino, ABC president , ex-officio Atty. Gerome Tubig for their part expressed appreciation to all the barangay tanods.
“Pampanga has been declared most peaceful in Central Luzon, despite the lack of policemen, because we have 11,500 volunteer force multipliers who selflessly devote themselves, risking their lives to maintain peace and order. And you are among the 11,500”, Henson said.
Meanwhile, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Myrvi Fabia addressed the support, the provincial government has provided for the barangay tanods including the allocation of P30-M intended for the peace and order campaign.
Phillippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Director Gladys Rosales presented the different drugs proliferating in the region, drug trafficking and ways on how to spot a drug laboratory.
Police Community Relations Branch Deputy Chief Insp. Cherry Tirasol gave her update regarding their “Lambat Sibat” program and peace and order situation in the province.
The event was organized by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) headed by Angie Blanco who also took part in stressing the duties and responsibilities of barangay tanods and their participation in rescue operations during calamities.
With the geographical location of Pampanga, it is one of the most prone areas to disasters especially the high risk coastal barangays like Lubao, Sasmuan, Masantol and Macabebe.
The event’s theme “Pamagsane kareng katungkulan da reng bantay bayan para keng pamanatili king kaayusan, kapayapan at seguridad keng barangay” was also attended by Candaba Mayor Rene Maglanque, Apalit Mayor and Mayors’ League president Oscar Tetangco Jr., Chief-of Staff Fritzie David Dizon, chiefs of police and other local officials.
By Maribel U. Singca
