The City Government of Isabela, represented by Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, the Philippine National Police-Isabela City Police Station, represented by COP PTCOL Parson Asadil, and the National Police Commission IX, represented by Acting Regional Director Atty. Pablito Abad, formalized their commitment to the Community and Service-Oriented Policing (CSOP) System through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on July 30 at the SP Session Hall.
The CSOP System aims to foster closer cooperation between local government units, law enforcement agencies, and the community to enhance the delivery of basic services and improve public safety. The agreement signifies a collective effort to integrate community-oriented policing practices, ensuring that the police force works hand-in-hand with local leaders and residents to address crime and maintain peace and order.
Before the MOA signing, Atty. Abad provided an orientation on the CSOP System, explaining its concept and objectives. Atty. Abad highlighted the importance of joint efforts between local leaders, law enforcement agencies, and the community in implementing the CSOP System, which aims to promote community-oriented policing and crime prevention strategies nationwide.
In his message, NPC IX OIC-Office of the Assistant Regional Director Atty. Alexis De Lima reiterated that the key to preventing criminal activities lies in the collaboration of the community, local government units (LGUs), and the Philippine National Police (PNP). He shared successful practices from Zamboanga City, such as conducting barangay crime prevention forums designed to empower barangay officials and tanods, which are instrumental in building the capacity of local enforcers, referred to as “force multipliers.” Atty. De Lima also delivered a short lecture on crime prevention.
Meanwhile, Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman highlighted the critical role of functional institutions and community organizing in a small city like Isabela. Mayor Turabin-Hataman stressed the substantial impact of effective community organizing in mobilizing residents to actively participate in maintaining peace and order. She also acknowledged the significant contribution of the security sector to the city’s overall development.
Mayor Turabin-Hataman shared compelling data illustrating the positive outcomes attributed to the efforts of the security sector such as the increase in the number of tourists visiting Isabela City, improved safety and public perception, the city’s economic performance, reduction in the city’s poverty incidence, and Isabela City’s competitiveness.
PNP PRO IX representative Assistant RCAD PLTCOL Hadjiri Langgal also shared a message emphasizing the importance of the initiative. He highlighted the role of the police force in ensuring public safety and the necessity of building strong partnerships with the community and local government units.
Attending alongside Mayor Turabin-Hataman were City Administrator Pedrito Eisma, DILG FOU CLGOO Arnel Alvarez and several of the city’s Punong Barangays. (Words by SJ Asakil, CIO/Photos by C. Digon, IsaTV)
