Members of the peace councils in Caraga converge to intensify crime prevention

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 2 -  In time with the kick-off ceremony for this year’s National Crime Prevention Week, members of the peace and order councils in Caraga region convened with the local media personalities on Monday at the Provincial Capitol Covered Court, this city and discussed updates, issues and concerns related to peace and order situation in the region.

Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante said that crime does not only cover theft and robbery but also include problems in the community. He also stressed that crime prevention must be done every minute of every hour and this is everybody's concern.

PSSupt Nerio Bermudo, Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) chief also emphasized that they are doing their best to secure the populace in every community despite its limited manpower.  

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Caraga Regional Director Lilibeth Famacion, lauded the uniformed men and women for their untiring efforts in ensuring peace and order in the locality. "We see to it that while we ensure peace and order, we also make sure that the government's programs and services reach the general public to gain their trust and confidence," she added.

Famacion further bared that the department is continuously extending its assistance through distribution of checks from its PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) funds to the conflict-affected areas in the region that also complied with the requirements.

"We are continuously encouraging our local government units to submit more project proposals under PAMANA," she said.

Commission on Human Rights (CHR)-Caraga Regional Director Atty. Marylin Pintor also expressed that the commission is continuously espousing for a human-based approach in crime prevention.

"The commission is trying to convince government agencies to develop reforms in order to come up with a climate of impunity," she said.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Caraga Regional Director Erwin Ogario stressed that its fight against illegal drugs is on the right track.

"Based on the statistical data from 2010 to August of 2013, there is an increased efforts of the law enforcement agencies in the fight against illegal drugs. However, we also observe that while our efforts level-up, drug affectation also increases. This is one thing that we are working out with the peace and order councils in the region and there is a need for us to change our strategies to address this concern," said Ogario.

Meanwhile, other members of the peace and order councils from different sectors also expressed their support and cooperation to the efforts of the local government units in the region in combating crime.

It was also learned that these sectors are enhancing its strategies to bring its programs and services closer and more accessible to the public. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)