With Governor Aurelio Umali recently appointed as chairperson by Sec. Mar Roxas with the President’s approval, the organizational meeting of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) was held. This milestone was relished as numerous issues were aptly discussed and addressed by the council last August 14, 2014 in Widus Hotel, Clarkfield, Angeles City, Pampanga.
Among the presenters conveying the peace and order situation for Central Luzon were Major General Glorioso Miranda of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), PCSUPT Adriano Enong Jr. of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Director Jeoffrey Tacio of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and Peace Officer IV Maggs Barrios of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).
Significant issues tackled in the discussion were insurgency problems, cargo hi-jacking, motorcycle-related crimes, and dangerous drug concerns in the region among others. With the firm direction of Chairman Umali, the council put forward a number of important and specific propositions to counter such crimes.
Moreover, Governor Lilia Pineda of Pampanga raised a proposal advocating the construction of an empirical Peace and Order Council headquarters to further the organization’s cause and raise the economic benefits of having a peaceful region in the process.
On the latter part of the day, the awarding for the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards was spearheaded by DILG led by Region III Director Florida Dijan.
Brgy. Sto. Niño, San Felipe, Zambales and Brgy. Kitang II/Luz, Limay Bataan were announced winners in the 4th-6th Class Municipalities and 1st-3rd Class Municipalities categories respectively. On the other hand, Brgy. Cataning, City of Balanga, Bataan, and Brgy. Kalaklan, Olongapo City bagged the awards for the Component Cities and Highly Urbanized Cities categories, respectively. All LTIA regional winners received plaque and a cash prize of P50,000.00 each.
