The Philippine National Police (PNP) launched two community-based programs which seek to address the COVID-19 pandemic and issues on food shortage in a ceremony held in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Friday.
PNP Chief General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan led the ceremonial launching of Barangay COVID Defense (BaCoD) and PNP Food Bank, which are "benchmark projects" under his leadership that "primarily focus on the welfare of the community."
"For years, the PNP has always recognized the participation of the community in fulfilling its duties at the frontlines. Sa pamamagitan ng BaCoD ay mas mapapalawak nito ang kooperasyon ng ating mga kababayan sa komunidad upang labanan ang COVID gayundin ang krimen at droga (Through BaCoD, we can expand the cooperation of the public in the communities to fight COVID, crimes and illegal drugs)," Cascolan said.
Under the BaCoD Program, the PNP will cater community clustering system as a focused initiative to help the national government and agencies on implementing COVID-19 measures and protocols in the communities.
Cascolan said that five to six barangays will be grouped into one cluster to form a PNP Patrulya ng Bayan – Barangay Enforcement Team (PnT-BET).
The clusters will be instructed to assist in ensuring that minimum health standard protocols are not violated; provide security and patrol operations; encourage backyard farming; conduct security visibility in coordination with barangay councils; help in contact tracing efforts; and promote livelihood programs like urban gardening and skills development.
Meanwhile, Cascolan said the first-ever PNP Food Bank will serve as a "reservoir of food donations and other basic needs" from various donators and stakeholders.
The food bank will primarily serve as a logistics system to manage the donations that will be distributed to the communities bearing the brunt of the pandemic.
The donated supplies may also be utilized during times of natural calamities and emergencies.
"Aside from health welfare efforts in this time of pandemic, the program is also shared as a common goal for everyone – to take part in efforts on poverty alleviation and economic recovery programs," Cascolan said.