The Department of the Interior and Local Government will check the performance of Peace and Order Councils (POC) in 1,715 local government units in the country to ensure they are actively implementing programs to secure their communities.
“Through this annual audit, we want to make sure that our regional, provincial, city and municipal POCs are functional and are carrying out strategies and interventions to further improve the peace and order situation in their areas,” said DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr.
This year, each council must score 70% or higher compared to 65% last year to be considered functional based on the following: Organization; Meetings; Policies, Plans and Budgets; Reports; and General Supervision.
“The higher functionality rate is a reflection of more favorable LGUs” Abalos said.
“POCs will bring meaningful development in their areas such as increase in business or investment confidence, flourishing infrastructure projects and wide participation and engagements of various sectors,” he added.
Bonus points will be given to those who have created innovations or innovative programs that contribute greatly to maintaining peace, order and public safety in their respective localities.
Executive Order 773 mandated POCs to meet every three months, have a 3-year term-based plan on Peace and Order and Public Safety (POPS), allocate part of the annual budget to the campaign against illegal drugs, submit an accomplishment report using the POPS Plan Policy Compliance Monitoring System.
Development indicators such as Effectiveness in Addressing Criminality Issues, Citizens Satisfaction on Peace and Order and Public Safety and Women’s Participation in POCs will also be added for the first time.
However, Abalos said that such indicators will only serve as baseline data and will not be included in the total score.
The Bureau of Local Government Supervision of the DILG will organize and lead the National Audit Team (NAT) with representatives from various agencies and Civil Society Organizations (CSO) as its members.