Christmas and keeping the peace in Abra

BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

BAGUIO CITY--Christmas is in the air and as the multitude prepares for the coming of Christ, the undertakers anticipate their goodies while the pickpockets in this tourist resort are busy looking for victims.   

With the onset of the yuletide season, the Department of Trade and Industry also reminded the public to be responsible consumers and always check prices and quality of products they are buying as there are also bad characters in the business world.

DTI-Cordillera Cordillera Region information officer Art Tibaldo, said their office is now checking prices of basic commodities to include Christmas lights and decorations.He said the agency is set to come up with the suggested retail price (SRP) of Noche Buena products anytime now.

For food items, Tibaldo reminded the public that aside from regularly checking with the DTI-released SRP, they should check expiration dates and the nutritional content of products as inferior ones abound at this time of the year.

For meat, poultry products and other basic commodities at the public market, the public  should  buy only from official stalls or their (suki) vendors and  if in doubt of weight of the product they are buying,  buyers should  check local government unit-installed “Timbangan ng Bayan” in the market.

On electronic products or gadgets such as Christmas lights and electronic gadgets, Tibaldo said the  public should check import commodity clearance (ICC) stickers for imported products and product standards (PS) mark for locally produced products.

Tibaldo also warned the public against dubious marketing or promotional sale strategies  that lure  people  in buying either  low-quality products  or high priced products  through sales talks, gimmicks and product giveaways.“The public can always check it with DTI, even product marketing and promotion must be approved or have permit from DTI.”

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Chief Supt. Benjamin B. Magalong, Cordillera regional police director, has admitted that keeping Abra peaceful is a big challenge on the part of law enforcers considering that it is the only province in the region included in 15 priority provinces in the upcoming May 13, 2013 local elections.

  

Magalong, who is now going around the region to check readiness of police in peace and order efforts in preparation for next year’s elections, has emphasized to his field commanders his thrust for a “non-Comeleccontrolled Abra” during the election.

           

He said there was need for police community relations including consistency in enforcement of laws to make Abraand the region more peaceful.

           

“Police-community partnership or collaboration activities should be undertaken collectively by all unit commanders through peace forums, rallies, covenant signing, unity walks or runs and negotiations for surrender of loose  registered firearms of contending politicians in the area,” Magalong told staff commanders in Abra during a command conference at the Magiting Hall, Camp Juan Villamor in the capital town of Bangued last Tuesday.

 During his visit to Abra, the regional director talked to political groups and sectors on the issue. These included  the Abra Peace Convenors Group in the capital town of Bangued,  business sector,student and youth leaders from schools in the province.

  

According to Magalong, recommendations during the consultations included installation of CCTVs in the crime-prone streets of Bangued, responsible use of the cellphone in reporting crime to police, unbiased police interventions (arresting criminals and investigating crime incidents) and continuous conduct of police checkpoints in the province to neutralize wanted persons, reduce unlicensed firearms and arrest gun-for-hire individuals.

“Most of the attendees expressed that they feel more comfortable and secure with the current peacekeeping efforts of the PNP,” Magalong said, adding that constituents feel the sincerity of the PNP because they can talk with the regional police director and discuss their concerns.

Magalong said they developed this peacekeeping strategy because of the fragile peace and order situation in Abra.  “Today, positive things are gradually starting to evolve especially the trust and confidence of the community towards the police.”

Despite these, Magalong said more things were need to be done to improve peace in the province.  He encouraged student leaders to be involved in peace building and not to hesitate to say what they think and what they feel because bright ideas emanate from them.