Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Bato dela Rosa highlighted the importance of the barangay (village) and its officials in the fight against crime.
Dela Rosa was one of the guests during the “Symposium on Community-based Rehabilitation Program cum Paglulunsad ng Barangay Seal of Good Local Governance at KKK sa Barangay: Pananagutan ng Bulacan para sa Kalikasan (Save Manila Bay Project)” event held at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium in Malolos.
Speaking before the village chiefs and councilors of Bulacan’s 569 barangays, the former PNP chief said the community as part of the five pillars of criminal justice, together with the law enforcement, prosecution, courts and corrections, is crucial in the attainment of the overall peace and order of the country.
“The community, as part of the five pillars of criminal justice, is crucial in the attainment of the overall peace and order of the country.”
“Ang palaging sinasabi ng ating Pangulo Rodrigo Roa Duterte, importante ang mga nasa barangay dahil hindi katulad ng mga pulis na mayroong armas na nakikipaglaban sa drug personalities, pero ‘yung mga barangay official na ‘yan, araw-araw na nakikipag-engage sa drug personalities ng walang armas (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte keeps on saying that those in the barangays are important because unlike the police who have arms in fighting with the drug personalities, the barangay officials have been engaging with the drug personalities without arms every day),” Dela Rosa said.
Meanwhile, Department of the Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary for External and Legislative Affairs Ricojudge Janvier Echiverri said barangay officials should enjoy their benefits stated on Section 393 of the Local Government Code.
“Ang mahirap sa ating mga nasa barangay, trabaho tayo ng trabaho, alam na alam natin ang mga tungkulin natin pero hindi natin alam ang mga benepisyo na dapat nating tanggapin tulad ng (What is difficult with us in the barangay, we work and work. We know very well our tasks but we do not know the benefits that should receive like) honorarium, barangay officials’ insurance, barangay tanod’s insurance, when we get sick or accident in line of duty, free hospitalization, free matriculation, civil service eligibility and Christmas bonus,” he said.
“What is difficult with us in the barangay, we work and work. We know very well our tasks but we do not know the benefits that should receive.”
As DILG representative, Echiverri conferred to the provincial government of Bulacan the Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) Performance Silver Award in recognition of its exemplary efforts and performance of its duties in complementing the national government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign and in garnering a score of 85 to 99 functionality points during the conduct of the 2017 ADAC Performance Audit.
Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado likewise underscored the vital and crucial role of the village officials.
“Bagamat ang barangay ang pinakamababang sangay ng ating lipunan, subalit masasabi nating pinakamahalaga at pinakamalapit sa pakikipag-ugnay sa ating mga nasasakupan. Kayo ang may kakayahang makinig sa hinaing ng sambayanan, tukuyin ang katiyakan ng mga suliranin, magbigay ng solusyon at higit sa lahat tumugon sa mga pangangailangan at hamon ng ating lipunan (Although barangay is the lowest unit in our society, but we can say, that it is the most important and the closest in interacting with those in our jurisdiction, You (referring to the village officials) have the ability to hear the sentiments of the nation, determine the problems, give solutions and most important, to respond into the needs and challenges of our society),” the governor said.
