ILOILO – The provincial government will tap the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) for a novel undertaking – set up patrol teams that will not only enforce the law but also respond to road accidents and disasters.
“Bantay Dalan” is the land-based counterpart of the provincial government’s Bantay Dagat which enforces fishery laws to protect the province’s marine resources.
New IPPO director Police Colonel Roland Vilela vowed to support Bantay Dalan.
However, since the IPPO has a limited number of policemen, Vilela said they will capacitate and train barangay tanods for Bantay Dalan.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said Bantay Dalan teams will ensure road safety and order.
“Maayu ang province sa inyo nga buligan kita sa pag-enforce sang aton local ordinances kay ti may traffic code kita kag ginabantayan ta ang dalan sa mga overloaded naton nga trucks. We need the police for that,” Defensor told Vilala during the police official’s capitol visit recently.
The governor also stressed Bantay Dalan will not only be for law enforcement.
“It will have a disaster risk reduction and management facet like rescue capability and first aid response,” said Defensor.
The province is now in the process of putting the Bantay Dalan in the Annual Investment Plan (AIP) for budget allocation.
“Because you need vehicles and personnel for that. And the vehicle should be equipped with law enforcement and DRRM capabilities,” said Defensor.
During a courtesy call on Sept. 4, Vilela told Governor Defensor his strategic direction is in support of the thrust of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6).
His priority programs are summed up in the acronym “ILOILO” which stands for: Illegal drugs should be eradicated; Law enforcement operations will be relentless; Optimization of police operations and resources; Internal cleansing and discipline; Local communist armed conflict should be concluded; and Organization of mobile volunteers and seeking of active participation of stakeholders for peace and development. (With a report from LHC, Capitol News/PN)
