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Operationalizing
Local Peace and Order Councils
By Sabrina Garcia, Posted 18 March 2011
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During the
planning-workshop, Medina. |
In Misamis Oriental, members
of the Local Peace and Order Councils (POCs) are geared towards
taking a more hands on role in building peace in their localities,
now with even greater participation of civil society groups.
“Gone are the days when
Peace and Order Councils are being associated with police and
military work only. That’s how it was in the province of Misamis
Oriental before. We were a ‘reactive’ peace and order council.
Peace and Order Councils must be pro-active now.
We just don’t talk about
insurgency here, we are talking about how to provide the basic
services to the barangays, on bringing the government closer to the
people, and we are doing it now,” stressed Teddy Sabuga-a,
Executive Director of the Peace and Order Council of Misamis
Oriental, during a Peacebuilding Orientation seminar for Municipal
POCs in the province.
The Provincial Peace and
Order Council(PPOC) of Misamis Oriental was reorganized last January
28, 2009 by Gov. Oscar S. Moreno through Executive Order No. 02, S.
2009. It has evolved to embrace a paradigm shift in peace building
and has become proactive in pursuing development initiatives. Balay
Mindanaw’s Ayi Hernandez sits in as Vice Chairman since 2004.
PPOC has taken a major step
forward last September 21, 2010, during the handover of the Internal
Security Operations by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (4th
Infantry Division, Philippine Army) to the province of Misamis
Oriental. This highlighted the significant role of local government
units in peace and development agenda. PPOC committed to provide
support and ensure that all Municipal Peace and Order Councils
(MPOC) formulate their local peace and development initiatives.
During the MPOC Peacebuilding
orientation in Balingasag, one Parish Pastoral member articulated
that issues on peace, order and security should be institutionalized
in every Local Government Unit. “In fact, peace and development is
a basic human right, and it is a state obligation to provide us
these needs,” added Victor Aleria Jr. of the Commission on Human
Rights, also a PPOC member.
For 2011 onwards, the Local
Peace and Order Councils in Misamis Oriental are headed to a “paradigm
shift.” This includes reorganization, strengthening and capacity
building of the members.
To date, Magsaysay, Gingoog,
Medina, Sugbongcogon, Salay, Lagonglong, Balingasag and Claveria
have started their Peacebuilding Orientation and reorganization of
the council. The western part of the province will start their Local
Peace and Order Peacebuilding Orientation this April. This
undertaking compliments Executive Order 773, to further reorganize
peace and order councils.
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During
the Peacebuilding Orientation, MPOC Claveria. |
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