Zambales Governor Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr., in coordination with DILG Provincial Director Armi V. Bactad carried out the People’s Law Enforcement Board Workshop Seminar for the newly appointed PLEB members of the thirteen (13) Municipalities of Zambales held at Prime Asia Hotel, Angeles City from July 23-25, 2014.  The PLEB Seminar is an undertaking of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC).

   Being the father of the Province of Zambales and with his deep concern to the men in uniform, Governor Ebdane stressed in his message the core value of discipline within the ranks and to find ways and means to improve the PNP system in Zambales.  According to him, collective decision making must be undertaken for erring PNP personnel and regular briefing must be provided to direct some misguided members.
 
   Lectures on Uniformed Rules and Procedures, Administrative Offenses and Penalties, Case and Records Management and Decision Making were discussed by NAPOLCOM Regional Director Atty. Manuel L. Pontanal, Regional Appellate Board Chairman Atty. Domingo P. Guanzon, Summary Dismissal Hearing Officer Atty. Arlene L. Castro-Co, and TSD Chief Atty. Bernardina Joven.  A mock trial was also facilitated and actively participated by newly appointed PLEB members with the assistance of prominent   lawyers in the Province in order to give insights and ideas on actual PLEB trials.

   Provincial Administrator Jun Omar C. Ebdane took time in joining the seminar and expressed his full support to the endeavour.  Also, Zambales Local Chief Executives led by Mayor Jun Rundstedt C. Ebdane, LMP President of Zambales attended the three (3) day activity together with the DILG headed by PD Armi V. Bactad and Mun. Local Government Operations Officers (MLGOOs) and PNP Provincial Director Manuel M. Abu and his Chiefs of Police were in full force attending the said seminar.  Among the mayors who attended were Castillejos Mayor Jose Angelo M. Dominguez, San Marcelino Mayor Jose F. Rodriguez, San Antonio Mayor Estella D. Antipolo, San Felipe Mayor Carolyn S. Farinas, Cabangan Mayor Ronaldo S. Apostol, Botolan Mayor Doris M. Jeresano, Palauig Mayor Generoso F. Amog, and Sta. Cruz Mayor Consolacion M. Marty.

   Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) Chairperson Governor Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr. convened the meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) at the Balin Sambali (Zambales Hotel), Iba Zambales last July 21, 2014.  

   Members of the PPOC in attendance included PSSupt. Manuel M. Abu (Philippine National Police), Dir. Manuel Pontanal (Regional Director, NAPOLCOM R3), Provincial Director Armi V. Bactad (DILG), Leonila T. Baluyut (DTI), Ms. Fe Y. Gallardo (PSWDO), Lt. Col. Monib T. Mamao (24th IB, 7th ID, Philippine Army), C/Insp. Jonas R. Silvano (BFP), Ms. Susafe F. Lodivero (PPO 1st District, DOJ), Mr. Romulo Manangan (PPO 2nd District, DOJ), Bishop Virginio Ducos (Hiyas ng Pag-Asa), and Lea Mayormita (NGO-Senior Citizens).  

   Also present were Vice-Governor Ramon G. Lacbain II; Provincial Administrator Jun Omar C. Ebdane; Mayors, Jun Rundstedt C. Ebdane (Iba), LMP President along with other Mayors namely Jose Angelo M. Dominguez (Castillejos), Generoso F. Amog (Palauig), Estela D. Antipolo (San Antonio), Carolyn S. Fariñas (San Felipe), Peter T. Lim (San Narciso), Jose F. Rodriguez (San Marcelino) and Consolacion M. Marty (Sta. Cruz). The mayor of Candelaria was represented by its Vice Mayor, Hon. Sergio R. Edquilang.

   Provincial Department Heads, Municipal Local Government Operations Officers (MLGOOs), Chiefs of Police (COP) and Municipal Fire Marshals were also present.
 
   The meeting was highlighted with the presentation of  Lt. Crispin E. Malibiran, Commander, NISG – NL,  from the Philippine Navy on the illegal fishing practices in the province and the activities made to apprehend the perpetrators.  The Philippine Army provided a situationer on the peace and order in the province, particularly on insurgency-related activities.  They also introduced the Army’s plans and programs for the remainder of the year, which includes continuous visibility and assistance during disaster and peace-time activities in the LGUs.  The PNP discussed its Disaster Preparedness Plan for the province, which included its organization during disasters, identification of evacuation centers for the whole province, trainings on search and rescue, and inventory of disaster equipment and also called for the need for continuous monitoring and coordination among the agencies (and the LGUs concerned) to prevent loss of lives and properties.

    DILG Provincial Director Bactad discussed the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) for former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the province.  The program aims to mainstream former rebels to the society by providing them with the necessary tools to continue their normal lives.  She discussed the integration process and the participation and role of the concerned agencies (AFP, PNP, DILG, CSOs, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and the concerned LGU) in the said program

    During the Governor’s Hour, Chairman Ebdane commended the AFP and PNP in their efforts in maintaining peace and order in the province, along with their programs in helping the community.  He also commended the efforts made by the LGUs in preventing the loss of lives during the recent typhoon Glenda and warned that more typhoons will still threaten the province.  He also noted the involvement of the community especially in the reintegration of former rebels in society, citing them as important actors in embracing those who once challenged the government.

   DILG Zambales thru the leadership of PD Armi V. Bactad, CESO V with CTL Rolando D. Ocampo and MLGOO Teresita R. Ola joined in the ground breaking ceremony of the PCF approved project in Barangay Sto. Niño, of the Municipality of Palauig this province last June 27, 2014.

   It was attended by the said LGU’s Municipal and Barangay Officials and Employees lead by Hon. Generoso F. Amog, Mayor.

   The project costs P2, 989, 564.96 which will be used for the concreting of the Sto. Niño – Tuktok Pangol Road.  One million of which came from PCF while the remaining amount came from LGU’s 20% Development Fund. The completion of the road would give ease to the delivery and transportation of goods and services by the Palauigeños from and to the national road.

   The Performance Challenge Fund (PCF), is a monetary incentive given to LGUs by the DILG in the form of counterpart funding to high-impact capital investment projects in the Annual Investment Program (AIP) and funded out of the 20% Local Development Fund consistent with national goals and priorities. In order to qualify for the monetary incentive, LGUs must comply with the criteria of the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) focused on sound Fiscal Management highlighting the absence of adverse COA Opinion on LGU financial statements and transparent and accountable governance putting value on  full disclosure and compliance to Anti-Red Tape Act 2007.

   Indeed, the said municipality was among the Five (5) Municipalities in the province conferred with the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH), Silver Level and consequently was awarded 1M PCF.