Bontoc women peace enforcers

By Francis Degay

BONTOC, Mountain Province – A group of women here who help maintain peace and order in this capital town town are the toast of peace loving citizens for going out at night and convincing minors and drunks to go home early.

They are called the Bontoc Women Brigade whose new officers were inducted by Mayor Franklin C. Odsey, on Feb. 22 at the municipal quadrangle.

Sworn to office for the year 2010-2011were Caroline Castaneda, president; Julia Bete,vice president; Nydes Buenafe, secretary; Romana Angawa, assistant secretary; Thomasa Agcalao, treasurer and Josephine Ngodcho as auditor.

Coordinators are Lourdes Buenafe-Bontoc Ili and Poblacion barangays, Florence Ekid-Lower & Upper Caluttit, Angela Falolo-sitio Kefa, Samoki and Caridad Fesway- sitio Sadlan, Samoki.

Yango said despite her age she enjoys working with other volunteer members. She said she feels fulfilled if she goes home after her work especially when no one is hurt due to alcohol related incident or when a pupil or student who does not skip school. She also thanks God for His guidance and giving her bonus years.

Buenafe, a computer technician, said brigada work is a challenging one. She said she feels sad when she sees someone bleeding after a fist fight due to drunkenness.

The brigade through its president Caroline Castańeda received recently the 6th plaque of appreciation from Cordillera police director Chief Supt Orlando L. Pestańo during the 19th PNP day celebration at Camp Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet.

The memento recognized the brigade’s voluntary and strong partnership with the police in crime prevention and maintenance of peace and order by strictly implementing the municipal ordinance on liquor ban and curfew on minors.

To date there are 40 members mostly senior citizens. The oldest is Victorina Yango, 85, of Barangay Samoki here while the youngest is Nydes Buenafe, 26.

The barangay brigade was organized as a civilian volunteer organization by former mayor Louis Claver, Jr. through and executive order on Dec. 18, 2002.