Oca, Rufus, Dongkoy on peace and order

Churchill Aguilar

AS election day comes nearer, Cagay-anons are once again faced with the dilemma of whom to entrust the yearly (more or less) P4.5-billion budget that can bring Cagayan de Oro to a more improved living condition. As such it is therefore crucial and wise to know what the plans and visions of our mayoral candidates are.

With the help of XU-GLI, I was able to get hold of the three leading mayoral aspirants and asked them to express their take on the major issues that beset our city. I am therefore yielding my space to highlight their views starting off with the issue on peace and order.

Question: How do you plan to make our city the safest in Mindanao?

Mayor Oca: “First, there must be a fair, consistent, and efficient enforcement of the law. The supremacy of the law must always be upheld and everyone must respect the rule of law.

“Second, the delivery of basic services must also be pursued with vigor and intensity. My deliverables are poverty eradication; resettlement; infrastructure; metropolization; education and environment; hospital and health services; agricultural productivity; and traffic and tourism.

“Third, we need a clear, harmonious and accountable relationship with the police and other law enforcement agencies, the military, and the barangay officials.

“Fourth, we have to have effective collaboration with other local and national officials.

“Fifth, we must have a meaningful engagement with the community at large. We must engage the youth, interfaith organizations, civil society groups, NGOs, peoples organizations, professionals, and other stakeholders. Safety is everyone’s concern – and commitment.

“Sixth, there has to be effective collaboration with mutlilaterals, such as USAID, AUSAID, Worldbank, ADB, the European Union, and similar organizations. At a time when resilience is the buzzword in the international community, everyone has a responsibility toward ensuring a safe, secure, and stable environment.”

Congressman Rufus: “Peace and order is part of my 10-point agenda. I will implement a comprehensive Anti-Crime Campaign Program that will address both macro and micro problems related to keeping the peace in the city. I also plan to give a monthly honorarium and insurance to Barangay Tanods for them to enthusiastically participate in the anti-crime campaign of the police. Part of the anti-crime campaign program is the training of the security guards by our local Philippine National Police so that these guards can help in dealing with crimes within their areas. Security guards will also be given insurance as part of the program. I will also make sure of better police visibility in the city.

“We have retired Colonel Boy Marban of District 1 and General Filipino Amoguis of District 2 in Team Rufus Harus that could effectively assist me in implementing my plans for peace and order.

“If you have more questions on my 10-point agenda or any comments and concerns, you can send me a message in my official Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/RufusBRodriguez”

Former Mayor Dongkoy:

“Public safety covers three areas:

• Maintenance of peace and order;
• Prevention of further damage to the environment; and
• Disaster risk reduction and management

“I have been consistent in my efforts to provide for Cagayanons, a suitable environment in which to grow and prosper, always including in this progress, the poor who most need the chance to improve their lives. Because I believe that when people are gainfully employed or engaged in worthwhile livelihood, they are kept from resorting to crime and they will instead help maintain peace and order.

“Since maintaining peace and order is a collaborative effort, I will continue to forge cooperation among the different sectors, barangays, NGOs, media, government agencies and law enforcement.

“I will also resume the streetlighting project and my nightly patrols with the police.

“Our nation and our city has learned the lessons that climate changes teaches and we will continue to heed these. There are studies that have been made and measures put in place. These will be heeded and strictly implemented hand in hand with resuming my focus on reducing and managing disaster risk through vigilance, early warning systems, barangay team training, development planning and reasonable funding.”

Peace and order are a preequisite for any development to take place. Not only that, the Local Government Code mandates it as one of the governmental functions of each local government unit. The soundness of their (mayoral aspirants) Peace and Order plan can make or unmake our city.

You have read their take. Who do you think can make our place the most livable city in Mindanao?