Calamba City, Laguna. “I have instructed my men on the ground to attend the Monday Flag Raising Ceremony at the schools within their area of jurisdictions, so as my staff to conduct red teaming operations to see to it that Balik Eskwela in CALABARZON will be generally peaceful and the minimum health standards will be observed as well,” according to Regional Director of Police Regional Office CALABARZON, Police Brigadier General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr.
Department of Education have marked August 22, 2022 as the start of face-to-face classes in all levels wherein the leadership of the Philippine National Police tasked all units to provide security and other public safety coverage in different schools to ensure the successful and orderly conduct of Balik Eskwela, after more than two years of pandemic that keep the students away from learning institutions.
Prior to the opening of classes, Nartatez had already instructed Chiefs of Police in Region 4A to coordinate with local officials and participate in security and safety planning for the anticipated event. He said that he expects his police to volunteer themselves to assist the school administrations and to seek help from other government agencies, local government units as well as Sangguniang Barangays to help in traffic management and minimum health standards implementation.
Police Public Assistance Desks were already in place near the schools aside from those who regularly patrol the street and visit transport hubs and places of convergence were the public can easily seek police assistance. A total of 6,542 police personnel with 4,066 force multipliers were deployed regionwide to provide security to the students, parents and teachers.
In fact, 586 schools were assisted and visited by our cops on the early morning of the first day of classes. Police in schools raised the National Flag and lead the pledge of Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas. They also distributed leaflets on crime prevention and safety tips on how to be safe as one travels or moves from home to school. These acts are in line with PRO 4A’s objective of raising the spirit of nationalism among the pupils and students and enhancing police visibility in schools to preempt scrupulous individuals from victimizing the children.
More than a month ago, different police units in the region have joined Brigada Eskwela to make sure that schools will be ready and safe for the students to return to face-to-face classes. Based on reports submitted by lower units, PRO 4A have recorded 1,124 Brigada Eskwela activities joined by the 5,684 law enforcers and a total of Php389,300.00 worth of monetary and non-monetary assistance extended to schools.
School principals in the region in their messages to the students during the first day of classes have expressed their heartfelt appreciation to the personnel of the Police Regional Office CALABARZON who have joined them from Brigada Eskwela until the opening of classes today. Nartatez in return assured that CALABARZON police will actively participate in school activities and programs and will always be visible in school vicinities to ensure the safety of students, teachers and even parents.
“Our children’s growth and social development are vital, hence we the police must participate in this endeavor. Let us always keep in mind that this young generation will be our country’s future. It is our priority to keep our schools safe and secure for our students and pupils to maximize their learning ability and eliminate trauma that criminals may cause them, if left unattended,” Nartatez added.
Roy Tomandao
Si Roy Tumandao ay kasalukuyang pangulo ng Camp Vicente Lim Press Corps. Nagsimula siya sa larangan ng media noong 1992 at aktibo bilang photo journalist at news correspondent para sa iba’t ibang tabloid. Broadcaster siya ng DZJV 1458 Radyo Calabarzon.
