Local officials urged to deploy barangay watchmen in today's school opening

MANILA, Philippines - Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo yesterday called on mayors and governors to deploy barangay tanods (watchmen) to help maintain peace and order in today’s opening of classes.

Robredo said barangay tanods will assist the Philippine National Police (PNP) in ensuring the safety of around 23 million students who are trooping to school today.

He said his department, the PNP and local government units support Oplan Balik Eskwela of the Department of Education.

PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome said the PNP is ready for the opening of classes today with the deployment of policemen near schools, colleges and universities to ensure the safety of students and their parents and faculty members.

“We are already prepared for the start of classes,” said Bartolome in Filipino. “Instead of patrolling the streets, our policemen will conduct patrol in school areas.”

“That is why our directive is for police units nationwide to coordinate with school authorities. There is a need for our territorial police units to hold dialogues with parent-teacher associations and school administrators to determine the specific assistance that can be extended by our policemen,” he added.

Meanwhile, a lawmaker yesterday reminded drivers and operators of public utility vehicles (PUVs) to grant fare discounts to students, along with the elderly and the disabled, in compliance with government regulations. 

Ang Kasangga party-list Rep. Ted Haresco cited an order issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to PUVs, including express service franchisees and buses, that mandates 20 percent fare discount to students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities. 

He urged those qualified to avail themselves of the fare discount to insist on it to ensure compliance by PUV drivers and operators. 

Earlier, LTFRB board member Manuel Iway encouraged students to report drivers who refuse to give them the fare discount.

Iway said erring PUV drivers and operators face P2,000 fine for the first offense, P3,000 fine and suspension of franchise for up to 60 days for the second offense, and P5,000 fine and cancellation of franchise for the third offense.– With Paolo Romero