A lawmaker has proposed to create and institutionalize the
Barangay Peace and Order Council to engage the community and establish
effective machinery in maintaining peace and order.
This proposal is embodied in House Bill 6408 authored by
Rep. Alfredo D. Vargas III (5th District, Quezon City), who believes that the
Council will help in the prevention of crime, resolve traffic, manage disasters
and assist in the implementation of national and local projects for the benefit
of the community.
Vargas said the measure was in consonance with the policy of
the State, which affirms that the maintenance of peace and order, protection of
life, liberty and property and the promotion of the general welfare essential
for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy.
According to the lawmaker, under Executive Order No. 355 of
1996, the Barangay Peace and Order Committee serves as an implementing arm of
the City/Municipal Peace and Order Council at the Barangay level.
“While several local government units have already adopted
their individual action plans and policies in promoting public safety, it is
observed that these strategies are not effectively implemented in the barangay
level. Also, the country still faces the issue of lack of police officers,” Vargas
said.
Under the measure to be known as the “Barangay Community
Peace and Order Council Act,” every barangay shall organize a Barangay
Community Peace and Order Council to serve as primary government institution
that prevents and suppresses criminality and maintains public order and safety
in the community level.
The Council shall formulate the Barangay Community Peace and
Order Plan, which shall be incorporated in the Barangay Development Plan, and
recommend measures to improve and enhance peace and order and public safety in
the community.
It shall also monitor and coordinate with the Local
Government Unit (LGU) concerned, the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau
of Fire Protection (BFP), City and Municipal Disaster Office, Public Order and
Safety Department and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in the
implementation of peace and order programs and projects at the Barangay level.
The bill also provides that the Council serves as an
information-gathering mechanism and maintains the profile of all residents in
the Barangay, monitor and check the nefarious activities of criminal elements
and identify barangay constituents with strong deviant behavior for referral to
appropriate authorities.
Further, the Council is directed to maintain continuing dialogue,
close coordination and rapport with the higher levels of the peace and order
councils and law enforcement units, monitor, coordinate and supervise the
operation of all community-based anti-crime movements within the barangay.
The Council is mandated to make periodic assessment of the
prevailing peace and order situation in their respective areas of
responsibility and submit reports with appropriate recommendations to the
higher level Peace and Order Council.
It shall also recommend purchase of equipment and other
materials necessary for the discharge of their duties and functions.
The Sangguniang Barangay shall allocate at least five
percent of the barangay’s total budget appropriation to fund the program.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=859037
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