NAPOLCOM highlights LGUs’ role in crime prevention

TheMonitorMindanaoToday.com | NAPOLCOM highlights LGUs’ role in crime prevention

ByP: Jan Albert K. Araña

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) in northern Mindanao launched the observance of the 31st National Crime Prevention Week (NCPW) in the region, emphasizing the role of local government units (LGUs) in strengthening community-based crime prevention programs.

Since the implementation of Proclamation No. 461, Series of 1994, which declares the first week of September as the observance of the National Crime Prevention Week, NAPOLCOM has worked to raise public awareness on the value of crime prevention, encouraged community participation in maintaining peace and order, and advocated for crime prevention as a way of life.

This year’s observance carries the theme, “Pinalakas na Pamahalaang Lokal para sa Ligtas na Pamayanan: Pagpapatibay ng mga Programa sa Pag-iwas sa Krimen sa ilalim ng Community and Service-Oriented Policing (CSOP) System” (Empowered Local Governments for Safer Communities: Strengthening CSOP Crime Prevention Practices).

NAPOLCOM officials said LGUs are in a position to identify the root causes of crime in their communities and translate national policies into programs that address local needs.

Among the programs highlighted during the observance is the Agak Pamilya Project in Iligan City, a CSOP initiative focused on family-based violence prevention. The project stands for amuma (care), gabay (guidance), alagad (service), and kaluoy (compassion).

“The Agak Pamilya Project is a CSOP system and preventive initiative in response to incidents of violence, victimizing family members who are currently affected by or are at risk of experiencing violence. In particular, it targets families of all backgrounds, including parents, children, siblings, and extended relatives,” said lawyer Sittie Jafsah M. Azis, chief of NAPOLCOM-10’s Technical Services Division

Implemented quarterly, the project involves the Family Protection Gender Section, Women and Children Protection Desk of the Iligan City Police Office, local government offices, religious groups, non-governmental organizations and community leaders.

Lawyer Ramon Alfredo E. Dela Cruz, NAPOLCOM regional director, said community-level involvement is also central to crime prevention.

“Crime prevention should start from the bottom up. It should come from the barangays, to the municipalities, to the provinces, and to the region. Because it is the people who know what ails them, and they can tell it to the PNP, who has the knowledge and the capacity to intervene, and the local government to support the law enforcement agencies. Together, the people, the local government, and the PNP, the law enforcement agencies, we could create a community-based crime prevention program,” he said.

Dela Cruz added that NCPW is not only a commemoration, but a call for year-round public involvement.

“Public service is a sacred duty, not a privilege for personal gain. Only by staying true to this duty can we show that the government is indeed for the people,” he said.

In northern Mindanao, activities for the week include a series of lectures in Oroquieta City conducted with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Philippine National Police, and LGU officials; a law enforcement exhibit at SM Downtown in Cagayan de Oro; and a lecture in Manolo Fortich. (JAKA/PIA-10)

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