Amidst the threat of COVID-19, the Department of the Interior and Local Government – Casiguran Field Office steered a two-day orientation - workshop on Barangay Peace and Order and Public Safety (BPOPS) and Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) Planning.

 The activity was participated in by Punong Barangays and Barangay Secretaries in Casiguran that were clustered in 2 groups: Cluster 1 on August 13 and Cluster 2 on August 14, 2020, respectively. LGOO VI Jesus L. Vizconde, Jr., MLGOO-Casiguran clarified that the activity was conducted to provide assistance to the barangay and ensure that the plans to be formulated will adhere with Executive Order No. 366. 'Formulating plans and recommending measures will improve peace and order and public safety in your area of responsibility" he added.

It is expected that by the end of August 2020, approved BPOPS plan and BADAC Plan of Action with BPOC and BADAC Resolutions respectively will be submitted by each barangay.
Throughout the orientation-workshop, proper implementation of physical social distancing and minimum health protocols were ensured.

MLGOO Vizconde reminded the participants to comply with the requirements of DILG MC No. 2015-130 dated November 3, 2015, Section 4 of DDB Resolution No. 4 dated September 16, 2016, and DILG MC No. 2017-142 which require every barangay to formulate a 3-year term based BPOPS Plan within 60 days after assumption to office of the Newly-Elected Barangay Officials. Likewise, PB Conchita G. Descarga of Calabgan added that plans must sustain and maintain the status of implementation of the programs and activities considered and included by each barangay. Documentation of the activities conducted is also relevant, for this serves as basis in the evaluation and assessment to determine the functionality of respective BPOCs and BADACs.

Further, activities in the plan are considered to be demand-driven and prioritizes the current peace and order situation which may include but is not only limited to the 6 Major Areas of: (1) Crime Prevention and Control; (2) Counter-Insurgency and Anti-terrorism; (3) Fire Prevention and Suppression; (4) Disaster Management and Control; and (5) Environmental Enhancement (6) Anti- Illegal Drugs

LGOO II Madam Cassey N. Buenaventura also facilitated the BPOPS Planning workshop. She guided the participants to account the situation/data in the current year as basis for the plan thru inventory of cases concerning Peace and Order and Public Safety.

Randomly, five Punong Barangays were called for a 3-minute presentation of their draft BPOPS Plans. Comments and feedbacks were comprehensively given by the facilitator after each presentation to improve the activities indicated in the plan.

The PBs expressed their gratitude to the assistance given to them in order to further promote a peaceful and harmonious community.