Public servants should embark on leading by example and always capitalize on integrity and honor over personal interests, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) spokesperson Supt. Xavier Solda stressed Sunday, June 12.
Solda, who is also the BJMP’s Community Relations Service Office (CRSO) chief, issued the call to the local leaders and government employees after gracing the country’s 124th Independence Day in Bontoc, Mountain Province where he was the guest of honor.
He asserted that the meaning of independence in the modern times is to “stand for what is right, and resist what is wrong).’’
“Sa bawat hakbangin ko sa buhay, dala ko ang puso at damdamin ng isang tunay na Igorot, bilang isa ring anak ng Mountain Province (Through the course of my life, I have in my heart and soul the true-blood of an Igorot being also a son of the Mountain Province),’’ Solda said.
Solda said his kins are from Lao-ingan, Bauko, Mt Province as he recalled how the values and teachings of the province have influenced him as he goes along in life.
Before joining the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in 2003, Solda noted having volunteered for almost a decade in an non-government organization (NGO) known as "Tayo ang Tinig at Gabay (TATAG)’’ where the members are street educators and a community youth organizers for children ‘in special and difficult circumstances.’
Solda shared that the stories of the children he encountered during his volunteer works are not different from the stories of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) detained in BJMP facilities.
“Marami sa kanila ay biktima lamang ng sirkumstansya sa buhay gaya ng kahirapan (Many of them are only victims of circumstances in life like poverty),’’ he added.
Further, Solda stated that people should first be understanding before judging a person’s character.
As public servants, Solda emphasized that it is their sworn duty to protect the trust bestowed by the public and be up to the task of performing their duties with honesty, integrity and without bias.
“Hindi po lahat ay nabibigyan ng pagkakataon upang maglingkod sa pamahalaan, maglingkod sa taumbayan (Not all are given the opportunity to serve in the government, serve the citizenry),’’ Solda emphasized.
Solda told his fellow uniformed personnel that the badge they're wearing symbolizes the seat of their integrity as military men, police, fire and jail officers.’
"The badge we wear in our uniforms carries the weight and the honor of our institution, and all that we stand for in the service," Solda said.
The BJMP spokesperson added that being a leader goes with the power to influence others, and even the power to impact an entire nation, to change its future for the better.
Present during the Independence Day ceremony were Mountain Province Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr, Vice-Gov. Francis Tauli, Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey and the uniformed personnels from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), BJMP and other local officials.