PEACE AND ORDER AND PUBLIC SAFETY

The following are the HIGHLIGHTS OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS in the Environmental Management Program of the Municipality of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte:

The absence of peace and order is the primary concern of every resident. The fear for the loss of lives and properties is everybody’s primordial concern.

Peace officers like the members of the Philippine National Police, complemented by the Barangay Tanods in the different barangays are tasked in the maintenance of peace and order in the community. These organizations are essential in the achievement of a peaceful and orderly community. However, in broader sense, there are still various areas to be explored to enhance and improve peace and order and public safety.

The assessment of the prevailing peace and order situation does not only respond to the pressing needs of the people but reflects the performance of local functionaries in their ability to control criminalities. Given the multiple actions to perform, the municipal government can not do it alone, therefore, need for the private sector and civil society organizations to actively participate for the effective and efficient implementation of peace and order reforms.

Sharing the same objectives, the municipal government, civil society organizations and the private sector join hands to address the needs of the people. The CSOs and the private sector vigorously provided support to every endeavor, either in cash or in kind.

A. Installation of Lamp Posts Along National Highways

One vivid example of citizen’s participation is the installation of lamp post along the national highway. To date, the Municipality has constructed 102 lamp posts along the Manila North Road and the San Nicolas-Dingras Road completely from funds donated by private San Nicoleneos. The amount of P1,637,077.00 was generated to finance the project. The project which, when completed, will light up both sides of the whole stretches of these main roads is now being actively sponsored by overseas and domestic San Nicoleneos. The Municipal Mayor actually initiated this project with the additional objective of regaining and strengthening the trust of the private sector by concretely showing that their donations are being put to worthwhile use. The response has so far been enthusiastic.

The establishment of the lamp posts does not only satisfy peace and order initiatives but also reflects the unity, culture and discipline of every San Nicoleño.

To present more of the accomplishments of the LGU in terms of the maintenance of the peace and order situation, the following are the notable performances:

PEACE AND ORDER COUNCIL

To assist the Local Chief Executive in planning peace and order efforts, the active Municipal Peace and Order Council conducts quarterly meetings. Issues and concern on peace and order situation are presented to the council and solutions to such are being presented. Various sectors are duly represented in the membership of the MPOC. Other councils and committees that were organized are the Municipal Anti Drug Abuse Council, Municipal Disaster Preparedness Council which are complemented by the Barangay Peace and Order Council, Lupon Tagapamayapa and Barangay Anti Drug Abuse Councils.

INTEGRATED AREA COMMUNITY PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN

The formulation and effective implementation of the different plans (municipal and barangay levels) such as the Integrated Area Community Public Safety, MPOC Plan, MADAC/BADAC Plan and Contingency Plan (“OPLAN BAHA”) serve as guide to local functionaries in the conduct of various programs and activities relative to the peace and order efforts and initiatives. The implementation of the various plans is regularly monitored by concerned agencies.

The implementation of the 4 Pillars of Justice, namely: Law Enforcement, Prosecution, Courts and Corrections, various Government Offices have been very active and supportive in every undertaking of the municipality.

SEMINARS/TRAINING ACTIVITIES FOR POC MEMBERS

To enhance and capacitate the knowledge, skills and attitudes of the MPOC Members, different training activities were conducted.

Barangay Anti Drug Abuse Auxiliary (BADAUX) Team Orientation Briefing was attended by selected Barangay Leaders and members of the MPOC to assist the government in curbing the proliferation drugs. The BADAUX are the assets to assist the Barangay Anti Drug Abuse Councils, Barangay Officials and the Philippine National Police in their quest to stop illegal drugs in the municipality.

The participants were familiarized of their various roles and functions as member of a certain council or organization tasked to abate any kind of criminality. They were also acquainted of the provisions of the Dangerous Drugs Act and to be aware of the social, psychological and medical aspects of the social menace.

Disaster Preparedness and Management Seminar- was conducted on September 7, 2006, which was attended by the MPOC, M/BDCC Members and other barangay leaders and volunteer groups. The seminar aims to equip the participants the proper knowledge and skills in the mitigation of disasters and its effects, either natural or man made,

San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte is a potential area of investment not only due to the perseverance of the people and growth of vital infrastructures for development but primarily due to the stable peace and order situation. Isolated cases of criminal incidents have not significantly affected the overall peace and order situation of the Municipality

The municipality in coordination with the Philippine National Red Cross has conducted a First Aid Seminar which was attended by the Barangay Tanods, BHWs, Brgy. Officials and the MPOC and Disaster Council Members. The seminar intends to provide the participants necessary skills in rendering first aid services to any ailing individual. Actual demonstration and lecture were the methodologies used in this training.

Fund Allocation

In order for the government to fully attain its objectives for a peaceful and orderly municipality, the following funding support was allocated. The absence of its budget will totally paralyze the operation. To wit, the following are the funding support for POC Activities:

Out of the 20% Municipal Development Fund, the funding support for peace and order programs are as follows:

As to expenditures, 44% or P861,988.93 from the total allocation of the General Fund has been utilized or implemented. The lion share of the allocation is provided for Aid to PNP, next is for MPOC Activities. However, expenses for the MPOC do not only come from the general fund, but from the 20% development fund and from private individuals. The expenditures provided are disbursed as of September 30, 2006.

Peace and order related activities are also funded from the 20% Development Fund, as follows:

SN EXPRESS Caravan which has allocated 51% for the social sector, to include peace and order initiatives such as capability building and poverty alleviation programs of the 24 barangays.

Crime Statistics

According to the Philippine National Police, San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte will continue to be a potential area of investment not only due to the perseverance of the people and growth of vital infrastructures for development but primarily due to the stable peace and order situation. Isolated cases of criminal incidents have not significantly affected the overall peace and order situation of the Municipality.

Internal Security Situation:

During the period, there has been no major terrorists activity committee by the Local Dissident Terrorists (LDTs), as there were no reported movement/sightings. Despite of no terrorists activities, the PNP is continuously conducting Counter Intelligence Coverage particularly to the far flung barangays. (Source: PNP MPS)

The chart above presents the Crime Statistics for the last four years, and for CY 2006 data is as of September. A very significant decrease of Crime volume can be seen for CY 2006. Crime volume for 2005 has an increase compared to CY 2004. This resulted to the very massive anti-criminality operations conducted by the PNP in coordination with the Local Chief Executive. The LCE aimed of having the municipality free of criminals, thus the order to minimize if not to abate any kind of unlawful acts. As a result, crime volume had a very significant decrease in CY 2006.

Crime Prevention Program

As discussed earlier, under Fund Allocation for MPOC Activities, all sectors are funded to finance the conduct of Pulong Pulong, monitoring, capability building programs, etc.

On the implementation of various programs and activities affecting the welfare of children, the Children’s Code is under deliberation of the Sangguniang Bayan. This includes among others Early Childhood Care and Development Programs and other related activities. The Code shall serve as guide of the municipal government in the delivery of services vital for children. Programs and projects intended for the children include the maintenance of Day Care Centers, Supplemental Feeding, Immunization, Vitamin A supplementation, De-worming and others

For the women sector, the Gender and Development Code (Women’s Code) was already passed into law by the Sangguniang Bayan on March 27, 2006. The rights and privileges of women as well as children are provided for. The GAD Code was based on RA 7192 otherwise known as the Women in Development Code of 1991. In relation to this, a seminar was conducted on the implementation of the Barangay Protection Order to women and children.

The youth is never left behind in terms of services from the Municipal Government. Sangguniang Kabataan, a formal organization of the youth takes the lead in coming up programs intended for the youth. Among these programs are the following:

The conduct of regular sports competitions among the youth does not only develop them physically, socially and spiritually but will keep them away from the use of illegal drugs.

Computerization Program for the youth was also considered as a creditable program for the youth. It provides them awareness on Information Technology. The SK forged an agreement with Informatics for the conduct of a short term computerization program. The program was financed by the Sangguniang Kabataan out their 10% SK Fund. 12 youths are targeted as beneficiaries every year starting the current year (2006).

Cultural Development program for the youth includes the conduct of the Annual Damili Festival, the Street Dance is one of the highlights of the activity. The activity is regularly participated by the youth. This activity does not only socially development the youth but it instill discipline, cammaraderie and sportsmanship among the youth. The organization of the SN Cultural Troupe has participated in various Street Dance Competitions during the Pamulinawen Festival of Laoag City (Champion), Longganisa Festival of Vigan City (Champion)Tabaco Festival of Candon City (1st Runner-Up) and the Aliwan Festival (National Awardee).
For the Arts, the Municipality was a recipient of the Alay Kulay Lakbay Sining Project of the Arts Association of the Philippines. They provided lectures to school children basic arts.

Anti Terrorism Measures of the PNP and the Municipal Government are as follows:
* All Barangays have completed the Registration of Barangay Inhabitants;
* The PNP maintains list of foreign Nationals;
* PNP personnel have attended SWAT and SCOUT Trainings;
* Maintenance of target hardening through police visibility;
* Conduct of info-drive to possible and probable targets of terrorists

Barangay Tanods and CSO’s who performed well in the maintenance of peace and order are given recognition and commendation during the Awards Night of the Town Fiesta. To acknowledge the participation of Barangay Tanods, the municipality provides for their annual accident insurance. CSO’s are accredited by the Sangguniang Bayan.
In order to strengthen community and CSO awareness and participation in peace and order development, the municipality has the following projects;

Conduct of Annual Crime Prevention Activities;
Conduct of Anti-Drug Abuse Symposia in the different Secondary Schools and barangays;
Encouraged the participation of volunteer groups.

Drug Prevention Program

The primary movers in drug prevention activities are the PNP, local officials and the Municipal/Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils and are supplemented by the Barangay Officials and Tanods and BADAC Auxiliary Teams. This councils and organizations are guided by the Anti-Drug Abuse Action Plans (Barangay/Municipal) in the implementation of projects and activities. Funding support for the activities is being provided under peace and order funds.

Drug abuse prevention programs include the following:

Conducts regularly Anti-Drug Abuse Symposia in the three (3) Secondary Schools;
Anti-Drug Abuse symposia was conducted;
Orientation briefing of the members of the BADAC Auxiliary Teams

With the abovementioned Best Practices of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, which are worthy of emulation, the sustainability of said practices and support from the three stakeholders of society, it can be deduced that the Municipality is in the right tract in the attainment of an ECOLOGICALLY BALANCED ENVIRONMENT WITHIN AN ORDERLY AND PEACEFUL COMMUNITY!