BETTER COMMUNITY TIES. PNP officials led by Gen. Camilo Cascolan (3rd from left) lead the launching of the Barangay Covid Defense (BaCoD) and the PNP Food Bank in Camp Crame on Friday (Sept. 11, 2020). The two projects are aimed at improving the welfare of communities amid the Covid-19 health crisis. (Photo courtesy of PNP PIO)
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday launched two key projects, the Barangay Covid Defense (BaCoD) and the PNP Food Bank, aimed at improving the welfare of communities amid the health crisis.
PNP Chief, Gen. Camilo Cascolan, led the ceremonial launch of the two community-engaging projects as part of the PNP Retooled Community Support Program and the PNP Sustainable Development Program in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
“For years, the PNP has always recognized the participation of the community in fulfilling its duties at the front lines. Sa pamamagitan ng BaCoD ay mas mapapalawak nito ang kooperasyon ng ating mga kababayan sa komunidad upang labanan ang Covid-19, gayundin ang krimen at droga (BaCod will expand the cooperation between the police and the people in fighting the coronavirus disease 2019, as well as crimes and illegal drugs),” Cascolan told reporters.
Under the BaCoD program, the PNP will use the community clustering system to help the government and its agencies in implementing measures and protocols at the barangay level.
Cascolan noted that five to six barangays would be grouped into one cluster under the PNP Patrulya ng Bayan – Barangay Enforcement Teams (PnT-BET) that will perform such tasks as helping the people follow the minimum health protocols; providing security and going on patrol operations; encouraging backyard farming and promoting other livelihood programs; increasing security visibility, in coordination with barangay councils; assisting in contact-tracing efforts; and skills development.
“Aside from health welfare efforts in this time of the pandemic, the program is also shared as a common goal for everyone – to take part in efforts on poverty alleviation and economic recovery programs,” he said.
Meanwhile, the PNP Food Bank will serve as a reservoir of food donations and other basic needs from various donors and stakeholders.
Cascolan said the program would be a logistics system to manage donations to be distributed to communities and families who are experiencing the impact of the pandemic.
The donated supplies will also be used during times of natural calamities and emergencies.
“This is a fruit of our initiative to care for our people. Kahit saan, kailanman ay nariyan ang inyong pulisya para maglingkod sa ating mga kababayan na nangangailangan (Anytime, anywhere, the police force is there to serve people who are in need). That’s why we bolster our partnership efforts with local government units, civic organizations, private entities, foundations, and other government agencies for this program,” he said. (PNA)
