ILOILO CITY (PIA) -- Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose V. Lacson, who is the newly appointed chairperson of the Western Visayas Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC), called on the member agencies to further their efforts in addressing local insurgency and illegal drugs.
During the RPOC 6 First Quarter Meeting, March 21, held here, Lacson has emphasized and recognized the role of member agencies in maintaining peace and order in their respective jurisdictions.
In his speech, he cited that by promoting participatory governance and active participation of all sectors in the pursuit of the country’s peace agenda, the government, along with its partner stakeholders, will be able to address the needs that divide the nation and the roots of conflict.
“It is imperative that everyone be included in the process for the attainment of our common goals for peace and progress as this will be a start of a better understanding in all sectors and of limiting the discord,” said Lacson.
He added that the Council needs to focus on government policies for the
achievement of “inclusive and sustainable peace” by recognizing the roots of aggress and acknowledging that insurgency, drug abuse, internal disturbances, tensions, other armed conflicts, and threats, are not only military concerns but are indicative of rather social, economic, and historical problems.
Lacson also extended his invitation for the reintegration of all “brothers and sisters in conflict with the government," emphasizing that the government will extend its hand to further usher and uplift not just the returnees but also those affected by the conflict through the provision of enabling and capacitating mechanisms.
To note, Lacson had been appointed by President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr. and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary and Chairperson of the National Peace and Order Council, Atty. Benjamin Abalos, Jr., as the new RPOC chairperson for Western Visayas.
His appointment certificate was handed over by the DILG 6 Regional Director Juan Jovian E. Ingeniero on March 14.
Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office 6 presented the deployment plan for the upcoming Lenten Season to ensure safety and security since traffic congestions are anticipated to occur in observance of several religious activities.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 6 also reported that Western Visayas currently attained 89.83% on its barangay drug clearing efforts across the region.
Relatively, a decline in the percentage of drug affectation was recorded, standing at 10.17% in 2022 from 68.60% in 2017. (JBG/AGP/PIA 6)
