City gov’t, gov’t agencies ink MOA for safer Baguio

BAGUIO CITY – Representatives of law enforcement agencies, the local government and community-based groups recently entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for establishment of a safe, secure community and activities to prevent victimization, control criminality and improve police and other services.
    The city government, Baguio city Police Office, National Police Commission Cordillera and community representatives entered into a partnership to effectively strengthen peace and order and public order in the city. 
    The agreement focuses on community and service-oriented policing systems, development of peace and order and public safety plan/integrated area/community public safety plan, implementation of joint programs, projects, services and activities within the community-and service oriented policing system and adaption and implementation of related programs.
    Under the agreement, all parties shall establish a city level triumvirate  and necessary mechanisms for implementation of programs, projects, services and activities, ensure active participation of designated members in the technical working group, ensure active participation in the sessions related to the implementation of the said system, facilitate monitoring and evaluation activities; designated focal persons from each of the signatory parties who will craft the progress of the individual agencies; designate necessary personnel and mobilize other resources and improve peace and order initiatives. 
    The local government shall formulate and adapt effective mechanisms for the coordination, cooperation and consultation involving the local chief executive, provide inputs and ensure assistance and support to the integrated area safety plan, formulate and pursue a 3-year, term-based peace and order public safety plan, convene and steer the peace and order council to review, update and approve the plan and supervise the peace and order council to gather data, analyze, draft, and update the local plans; mandate the full cooperation of all partner agencies, fund and implement  planned programs, facilitate the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation activities, designate personnel and mobilize other resources; implement information, education and communication activities; coordinate with Napolcom and perform additional functions.           
    The BCPO shall consult all stakeholders in identifying problems in the community, develop strategies to address identified community problems, prepare plan system programs, present the plan to the council; implement systems and conduct periodic review and assessment of police programs.
    Meanwhile,, the community shall provide data, information, and inputs to police and local government, mobilize and organize volunteers as force multipliers, share resources and assist in implementation of plans and programs while the Napolcom Cordillera shall monitor and evaluate the development, adaption and implementation of plans and strategies, guide police in implementation of their programs and provide capacity development to partner agencies and organizations. -- Dexter A. See