CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) approved the programming of P30 million as local peace and order fund and P9 million as confidential funds in the recent council meeting held at the Salilungan Pasalubong Center in this city Thursday.
It was learned, P12 million of said POC funds shall be utilized for crime prevention and anti-insurgency measures such as information drives, trainings and seminars for relevant personnel, institutions, local officials and stakeholders; as well as livelihood programs in particular areas of concern.
The council also allotted P6,000,000 for the reconstruction of police stations; 3,000,000 for the production of gear for force multipliers; and P800,000 for the provision of accident insurance for village officials and watchmen.
Other funded programs and activities include the conduct of command conferences, council meetings, police operations, including other administrative requirements of the council.
Security and administrative concerns for the upcoming national and local elections were also raised in said meeting wherein the provincial police force disclosed their need for additional funding for the conduct of essential trainings and needed additional equipment for the coming elections.
However, Governor Pineda urged Provincial Director for Interior and Local Government Myrvi Fabia to direct local chief executives to utilize their local peace and order budget first before tapping into the provincial budget.
“We should ensure that the local peace and order funds are utilized properly; and if their budget is still not enough, that’s the only time the province should augment their funds,” the governor stressed.
Also in attendance were Vice Governor Dennis Pineda; Board Members Rosve Henson and Anthony Joseph Torres; Provincial Police Director SSupt. Rodolfo S. Recomono, Jr; Col. Felimon Santos of 702nd IB, AFP; PDEA Regional Director Gladys Rosales, and other POC members.
The next POC meeting is slated in April to discuss the security preparations for the upcoming elections and shall be attended by local chief executives, as ordered by the governor.
By Angelique D. Tuazon-Eliseo
