THE LOCAL POLICE in Pagadian City are urging barangay officials to form a barangay based council to protect the rights of the children against all forms of abuses.

Police Chief Inspector Reynaldo Maclang, chief of the Pagadian City Police aired this concern in a series of forum made in at least 10 barangays in the city.

He said the creation of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) is so important to hear problems confronting the minors especially those in conflict with the laws.

Maclang said that the BCPC will automatically be chaired by the Punong Barangay, barangay councilors as members and the parents as the stake holders.

It has come to the attention of the Women’s and Children’s desk in the City PNP that the numbers of cases involving minors are increasing and based on evaluation this could have been resolved in the barangay level without elevating it to the police or even in the proper court.

Resolving abuses against minors can be best addressed with the authorities in the barangay because they are familiar with their residents and it is easy for the authority to mediate and hear the problem, Maclang said.

“Limitado lang kasi ang bilang ng PNP sa Pagadian tapos daming problema sa peace and order kaya kayo sa barangay level as force multipliers may malaking papel para tugunan yan”, Maclang pointed out as he also confirmed in public that the strength of the city police is only 98 against to more than a hundred thousand residents.

Meanwhile, the appeal of the local police for the urgent creation of BCPC meets no opposition from among barangay officials.
Barangay Captain of Napolan Marcial Albaracin has assured the PNP and the people to quicly take a move to organize the BCPC.
Kagawad Jun Paraguya also expressed strong support of plans to help local police unload their tasks every now and then.

Last update : 21-04-2008 12:35

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