The Provincial Peace and Order Council, through the Department of the Interior and Local Government, awarded outstanding barangay peace and order units in Negros Oriental during the provincial search for excellence in grassroots governance.
Awardees included Barangay Peace and Order Councils (BPOCs), Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Committees (BADACs), Barangay Tanod Teams (BTTs), and Lupong Tagamapayapa under the Lupong Tagamapayapa Incentives Awards (LTIA).
The awards recognize barangays that demonstrated strong performance in maintaining peace and order, combating illegal drugs, and resolving community disputes through institutionalized best practices.
For Outstanding BTTs, the winners were, 5th class municipalities: Brgy. Cambaloctot, San Jose; 4th class municipalities: Bal-os, Basay; 3rd class municipalities: Brgy. Manlumisag, La Libertad; 2nd class municipalities: Poblacion in Ayungon; 1st class municipalities: Albiga, Siaton; and cities category: Talungon, Bais City.
Outstanding BADACs: 5th class municipalities: Brgy. Janay-janay in San Jose, 4th class municipalities: Casile, Dauin; 3rd class municipalities: Ulay in Vallehermoso; 2nd class municipalities: Balaas in Manjuyod; 1st class municipalities: Brgy. Calayugan in Valencia; and in cities category: Brgy. Ali-is in Bayawan.
For LTIA, the winners were, for 5th class municipalities: Poblacion, San Jose; 4th class: South Poblacion, Jimalalud; 3rd class: Brgy. San Isidro, Pamplona; 2nd class: Brgy. Tupas, Manjuyod; 1st class: Poblacion, Mabinay; and in cities category: Brgy. Villareal in Bayawan City.
Barangays were evaluated based on the functionality of their BPOCs, BADACs, BTTs, and katarungang pambarangay systems, particularly their ability to resolve disputes amicably at the community level.
Each category followed criteria set by the provincial screening committees.
Winners received trophies and cash incentives from DILG provincial director Farah Gentuya, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Board Member Jessic Jane Villanueva, and Philippine Councilors’ League–Negros Oriental chapter president Bruno “Thirdy” Bouffard III, who represented Gov. Manuel Sagarbarria.
Gentuya reaffirmed DILG’s support for the program, citing its role in strengthening peace, order, and public safety at the grassroots.
“To our awardees, your accomplishments exemplify dedication, teamwork, and responsive local governance. You have demonstrated that when barangay institutions are functional, proactive, and committed, communities become safer and more harmonious,” Gentuya said.
Villanueva said the searches form part of the Provincial Peace, Order and Public Safety Plan, which focuses on building barangay capacity.
“It is designed to strengthen the capacities of our grassroots partners to ensure that the best practices are recognized and replicated and encourage innovation in local peacekeeping and community safety,” Villanueva said.
Barangay Bato in Mabinay, led by Barangay Capt. Edwin Garcia, was among this year’s outstanding BADAC awardees.
Garcia thanked DILG and PPOC for the recognition and said their barangay’s drug-cleared status was achieved through sustained community programs.
He said their initiatives included sports activities, youth and senior citizens’ programs, and house-to-house campaigns to discourage drug use and encourage voluntary surrender.
Garcia said the cash incentive will be used for BADAC capacity-building activities and to purchase operational equipment for barangay tanod members. | PIA7-Negros Oriental
