NorthCot LGU capacitates BPAT members

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 9): NorthCot LGU capacitates BPAT members

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato --- The provincial government here is bracing up its Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPAT) in 17 towns and the lone city of Kidapawan to enhance their performance as front liners in maintaining peace and security in villages.

This is done through a series of the Anti-Criminality Training Refresher Course to thousands of BPAT members in the province.

The move which is also aimed at boosting the  morale to the BPAT members  is part of the institutionalized programs for peace and order in the province.

“As front liners in keeping peace, the BPAT members must have sufficient understanding of their duties as well as their responsibilities. Thus, the endeavor to retrain and give them additional skills will make them more effective as peacekeepers,” said Governor Emmylou Mendoza.

The governor added that with the help of government agencies and stakeholders, she aims to come up with various strategies and concepts to curb criminality and maintain peace and order in the barangays.

Partnering with the provincial government in this activity is the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Office which gives technical support to the training.

Abdullah Ali, DILG Provincial Director stated that the training for BPAT members will basically strengthen the volunteers and will make them more helpful as force multipliers of the police.

The training, Ali also said will help transform the BPATs into an effective neighborhood security and counterpart in solving problems like criminalities, bombings and disasters.

Aside from the DILG and the LGUs, the Philippine Army is another partner in this endeavor. The PA trains the BPATs particularly in bomb threats to make the force multipliers aware of what to do and how to report such threats to reduce or totally avoid injury and damage to property.

The refresher course started on November 16 in Magpet, November 17 in Antipas, November 19 in Kabacan, November 20 in Matalam, November 23 in Carmen, November 24 in Pres. Roxas, November 25 in Tulunan, November 26 in M’lang, November 27 in Pikit, December 1 in Midsayap, December 3 in Aleosan, December 4 in Kidapawan City, December 7 in Makilala, December 8 in Banisilan and today in Pigcawayan.

Meanwhile, the same course will be conducted in Arakan tomorrow, in Alamada on December 14 and in Libungan on December 15.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2301449631338/northcot-lgu-capacitates-bpat-members