City approves P3.2 million for tanods’ uniforms

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City government will disburse P3.2 million for the procurement of uniform for the 1,600 barangay tanods in the city.

Association of Barangay Councils Cebu City President Franklyn Ong said the wearing of uniform would signify the roles of the tanods of the 80 barangays in the city.

“There is a need to provide these personnel with two sets of uniform as wearing their uniform provides a psychological deterrent on would-be offenders, aside from signifying their role and function, thus helps improve the peace and order situation of the city,” read a portion of the approved resolution.

The City Council approved the proposed resolution of Ong, who is also an ex-officio member of the legislative body.

Ong also said Mayor Tomas Osmeña approved the proposal, which will be charged against the city’s Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) funds.

Among the guidelines in disposing the city’s share of PAGCOR funds is that the fund should go to projects that have to do with the improvement of peace and order in the city.

In his resolution, Ong attached the proposal which came from the Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse and Prevention (COSAP) Executive Director Garry Lao.

Lao’s proposal was noted by Ong and approved by Osmeña.

Each of the 1,600 tanods will get two sets of uniform. One set of uniform will cost P1,000.

Expected output of the project is that it will recognize and boost the tanod’s efficiency especially in deterring the usage of prohibited drugs in the barangays.

Aside from this, there will also be skills development seminar and the participation of the tanods in the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council, among others.

With the approval of the charging of funds against PAGCOR, the city expects to release the uniforms before the year ends.

“The COSAP built partnership with the barangays in carrying out its substance abuse and prevention function by mobilizing the 1, 600 tanod personnel of the barangays in the City of Cebu,” Ong said.

Ong said there’s an existing City Ordinance 1429 known as ordinance “separating the Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse and Prevention from the youth and sports development commission, Office of the Mayor for its effective implementation and appropriating funds for other purposes.”

One of the functions of the COSAP is to prepare and conduct educational programs on the prevention and suppression of substance abuse involving the youth and parents of the city. — GAN (FREEMAN)