Baliwag, Bulacan Assures its Citizens of a Peaceful and Orderly Municipality

The Municipal Peace and Order Committee of Baliwag, Bulacan.

Baliwag Bulacan assures its citizens of a peaceful and orderly municipality in the next two (2) years. This was revealed by the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) during its quarterly meeting held last January 27, 2017 at the Conference Room, Municipal Hall, Baliwag, Bulacan. 

During the said meeting, MPOC approves the Municipal Peace and Order and Public Safety Plan (POPS plan) which mapped out the municipal policy directions concerning peace, order and public safety for the next two years (2017-2019). It analyzes the peace and order, as well as the public safety situation of the municipality, identifies and prioritizes major peace and order issues, and offers long-term solutions.

The POPS plan reveals, among others, that the Municipality that the municipality is still under threat of the crimes against property (theft, carnapping, robbery), crimes against persons (murder, rape, violence against women and their children) and crimes involving illegal drugs. Other public safety concerns like traffic, fire incidents, disaster preparedness were also detailed in the plan. 

The POPS plan offers, among others, long-term solutions to POPS issues, which include: establishment of police visibility, coordinated inter-agency response to crimes, installation of CCTV cameras, awareness campaigns, training and deployment of Barangay Protection Action Teams (BPATs). Plans for the reorganization and strengthening of the Municipal and Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (MADAC and BADAC), awareness campaigns, and prompt prosecution of citizens in conflict with the law were also suggested. Plans for organizational, structural and infrastructural investments were in place to anticipate the problems of heavy traffic, fire incidents and natural disasters.

"This is the first time in the recent history of Baliwag, Bulacan that a POPS plan is formulated," Mayor Ferdinand V. Estrella said. Mr. Jayfie P. Nasarro, MLGOO, also said that the plan is a landmark feat as there was no POPS plan before. The total budget for the POPS plan is PhP 439,130,934.00. These budget will be sourced from the national and local funds. 

The formulation of the POPS plan is spearheaded by the Municipal Mayor's Office through the Municipal Administrator's Office. It is a byproduct of inter-agency collaboration especially with the PNP, BFP, MPO, among others.

Chief of Staff Ms. Lhan M. Cruz, Mayor Ferdie V. Estrella and MLGOO Jayfie P. Nasarro during the POPS Plan deliberations.