Bohol gov is new RPOC-7 head

CEBU, Philippines - After serving more than six years, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday turned over the leadership of the Regional Peace and Order Council-7 to Bohol Governor Edgardo Chatto in the presence of President Benigno Aquino III in Tagbilaran City.

Aquino, who was also in Bohol Province for his first official visit as the president, administered the oath of Chatto as the new chairman of the RPOC in Central Visayas.

Chatto extended his thanks to Garcia who served as RPOC chairwoman since her election into office in 2004 towards the fourth quarter of 2010 through mass motion following the reconstitution of RPOC nationwide based on the DILG memorandum dated August 11, 2010.

It was during the term of Garcia when Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor achieved insurgency-free status.

Garcia thinks the RPOC should now be focusing on Negros Oriental in the campaign against insurgency.

In his speech, Chatto said he was briefed by Police Regional Office-7 Director, Chief Supt. Ager Ontog, Jr. on the peace and order situation in the region.

Ontog said the region is generally peaceful with a recorded 23-percent decrease in crime incidents compared to the previous year.

“We strongly believe together with your (Aquino) advocacy that community empowerment is always the major basis of a strong as well as peaceful community,” Chatto said.

Garcia said she has great confidence in the leadership of Chatto who assured her of an open line of communication.

“I believe that under his stewardship, the RPOC-7 will continue to achieve great gains in our all-out campaigns against ills of society like illegal drugs, illegal fishing,” Garcia said in assuring her all-out support to the new leadership of RPOC.

Aside from the oath taking and turnover of RPOC, Aquino also graced several activities in Bohol yesterday in connection with his administration's 16-point agenda and social contract with the Filipino people.

Aquino was briefed on the new Bohol Airport by officials of the Department of Transportation and Communications at the Bohol Tropics Resort.

He also inaugurated and unveiled the marker of the new municipal hall of Trinidad.

The president was received by several local officials led by Chatto, Garcia, Bohol Rep. Erico Aumentado, Siquijor Governor Orlando Fua and others. /BRP (FREEMAN)