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DILG urges reactivation of barangay peace and order committees
by T. Villavert

Iloilo City (2 July 2008) -- Following the election of new set of barangay officials last year, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) felt necessary to reorganize the Barangay Peace and Order Committees (BPOC) nationwide.

Malacanang said that DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno issued memorandum circular to the local chief executives to reactivate the BPOC to help "maintain and enhance peace and order in, as well as guarantee the effective delivery of public safety services to all communities nationwide".

The DILG secretary stressed in the memo that the reorganization of BPOC should be constituted through resolutions passed by their respective Sangguniang Barangays.

As suggested by the DILG Secretary, the barangay safety plan should contain the following major areas of concern: crime prevention and control; counterinsurgency and terrorism; fire prevention and supervision; disaster management and control; and environmental enhancement.

The punong barangay sits as a chairperson of the BPOC. The members of every BPOC are: the Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson; a member of the Lupon Tagapamayapa designated by the punong barangay; a public school teacher designated by the school principal or school head teacher; an officer of the Philippine National Police appointed by the Chief of Police of the corresponding city or municipality. The other BPOC members include a representative from the Interfaith Group; a senior citizen; a barangay tanod; and three members endorsed neighborhood association from existing barangay-based anti-crime groups, watch groups or non-government organizations.

The BPOC is tasked to initiate, coordinate and monitor the implementation of peace and order programs at the barangay level; monitor and check the nefarious activities of criminal elements in the community; and supervise barangay tanods in identifying constituents with strong deviant behavior for referral to the appropriate authorities.

Secretary Puno said that the BPOC should closely and maintain dialogues with the city or municipal peace and order council, disaster coordinating committee and law enforcement units operating in their barangay; and formulate plans and recommend measures to improve peace and order in their area of responsibility.

A periodic assessments of the prevailing peace and order situation in the barangay is also required as well as the submission of reports with the appropriate recommendations to the higher-level peace and order councils in the area, the Malacanang press report disclosed. (PIA)

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