IBA, Zambales — Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., who has been appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as the new chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council III (RPOC), will set a new approach to the operations of the consultative body.

In his message during the fourth quarter joint meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC,) and Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) on Nov. 26 at Balin Sambali in this capital town, Ebdane said the RPOC approach will be different under his administration.

“What I envision is something similar to an Intelligence Oplan (operations plan), where we have specific target, determine the available logistics and based on the lessons learned, we come up with solutions and follow it up,” the Zambales chief said.

“We have to make it a point to have a regular monitoring of these projects later on,” added Ebdane, who had served as chief of the Philippine National Police in 2002 to 2004 and Secretary of National Defense in 2007.

He also said that the plan he has in mind could be used as a template by other provinces and regions.

The RPOC is the body that ensures a more comprehensive and effective coordination of government efforts and active participation of citizenry in the campaign against criminality and insurgency.

In the same meeting, PBGen Rhodel O. Sermonia, regional director of Police Regional Office III, updated the participants on the peace and order programs implemented by the PNP.

Representatives from the 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and the Zambales Police Provincial Office (ZPPO) also presented their reports on the current situation in Zambales regarding threats of terrorism, insurgency, criminality and illegal drugs.

The joint meeting was held in coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government office in Zambales headed by Provincial Director Armi V. Bactad to synchronize the efforts of different stakeholders in maintaining peace and order in the province of Zambales

Present during the activity were members of PPOC, PADAC, PTF-ELCAC, DILG Zambales, police chiefs, and other local functionaries.

Another highlight of the meeting was the awarding of certificates of commendation to the local government units of Masinloc, San Felipe, San Narciso, Sta. Cruz and Subic for obtaining high compliance rating in the road-clearing validation on October 2.

The municipalities of Botolan and San Antonio were also given plaques of commendation during the meeting for passing the 2019 Seal of Good Local Governance.

Said LGUs passed the redefined “All-in” assessment criteria composed of the following: financial administration, disaster preparedness, social protection, peace and order, business friendliness and competitiveness; environmental protection; and tourism, culture, and the arts.

The Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) is a coveted award given to localities that exhibit excellent governance and delivery of public service. — PAULIN JOHANNE L. REYES