Barangay Ibabao-Estancia recognized as having best peace and order body

CEBU, Philippines - Barangay Ibabao-Estancia in Mandaue City was recognized yesterday as having the best Barangay Peace and Order Committee (BPOC) in a first ever search conducted by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Mandaue City.

Barangay Ibabao-Estancia captain Carmelino del Mar attributed the award to the implementation of the curfew hours for minors, the campaign against dispatchers, the cleaning of sidewalks, and the constant patrols.

The barangay received P50,000 and a plaque of appreciation during the awarding ceremony held at Mandaue City Sports Complex.

In attendance were Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede, City Councilor Demetrio "Jun" Cortes, chair, committee on peace and order, assistant DILG regional director Elias Fernandez, Jr., DILG city director Jhoaden Lucero, other city councilors, Diosdado Suico and Jimmy Lumapas, and Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Eric Mendoza.

In the same ceremony, the city government through Mayor Cortes also awarded the Mandaue City Police Office for having won 4th place nationwide and best police office in Central Visayas.

Jhoaden Lucero said the search which was adopted by City Peace and Order Committee in a form of a resolution which has four criteria: organization-ten percent; conduct of meeting-10 percent; plans, programs and project-30 percent and accomplishment-50 percent.

The prizes received will be in the form of peace and order project to be decided by the committee concerned.

The award is aimed at recognizing the efforts of barangays in the promotion of peace and order, being the basic unit of the government.

Of the 27 barangays, only ten submitted entries.

Other winners, Banilad, second prize, P40,000 plus plaque; Subangdaku, third prize, P30,000 plus plaque.

The three winners were among the six finalists who received P10,000 each plus plaque.

The three other finalists were Casuntingan, Basak, and Guizo.

Cortes in his message emphasized the role of every barangay in promoting peace and order.

"If peace and order is maintained in the barangay level, I'm very sure the city will further grow," Cortes said.  - THE FREEMAN