By. Elvina Taran, Fourth Year Student
“Nay, nasaan si tatay?”
The frequent question I often heard from my friend to her mother. The repeated question my friend asked to me. The question that made me think why my friend’s father is seldom seen in their house while mine is always present everyday when I need him. The question that made me compared our fathers. The question that made me curious to look for an answer and made me realized that I am luckier to have a father who is not like my friend’s father.
I am just an ordinary student raised by an ordinary family, from a family of a carpenter and a housekeeper but I am fully aware of a life with a father in uniform because of my friend. This made me curious to find the answer of the deafening question about the absence of her father. Fervent to know, only to find out that her father is a man in uniform, a POLICEMAN.
POLICEMAN. . . a defender. .a leader. .a peacekeeper. . a patriotic. . a tough guy and a father. These are what my friend’s father really is.
A man in uniform imparted a huge and complicated role in our society. A diplomat that he can settle differences between individuals, he is a pacifier. He must make decisions which require months for a lawyer, if he hurries, he’s careless. If he’s deliberate, he’s lazy, A man who must be first to an accident. He must know every gun. . .draw in a run. . .and hit where it doesn’t hurt. He must know everything but not tell, know where all the sin but not partake. He must run files and write reports. These are some of the many responsibilities of a policeman.
In my young age, as a representation of the youth being a Student Supreme Government President, do believe that I am an important component that plays a significant role in carrying out PNP’s objective, “Bayanihan ng Pulis at Mamamayan tungo sa kapayapaan at kaayusan. “Basically, as a youth, as vital stakeholder in the composition of mamamayan should participate in every activity regarding the peace and order in our community. Involving the youth in this program is already one of the transformations that is taking place in the PNP. We can make a big difference in this program, for instance, encouraging people to follow in the implementation of the laws in our community. Thus, following it too because despite of our young minds, we have a big capability that can be imparted for the betterment of all as a whole. Therefore, unity is our weapon towards success. As the saying goes, “More hands are better than one.” The so called Bayanihan at Kaayusan will not be achieved if we will not work hand in hand with the PNP as being always partners in every reform that we want to happen.
But how can this reform be achieved if all of us tend to procrastinate in the changes and development? How can this transformation be realized if we will not start now? Then when? If you will not lead then who?
“I shall lead these leaders” PDG Jesus A. Verzosa said. With our good leaders who will be our frontrunners in this reform agenda will create a domino effect to its constituents. In this sense, we are sure of the sustainable development in the department.
But what is really PNP today in its true sense? What are really the developments that are taking in? What are really the ideas of these transformations?
The PNP Integrated Transformation Program is the organization’s roadmap for long-term and lasting reforms in the Philippine National Police. This program is now being implemented in order to resolve organizational dysfunctions and improve the quality of police services: strengthen law enforcement capabilities; enhance the welfare and benefits of the dependents especially to the civilians. This activity also aims to underscore the importance of community relations in the overall functions of PNP in enforcing or implementing the law and maintaining the peace and order in the community. The Transformation Program should present a comprehensive and holistic approach to reform the PNP with its honest-to-goodness services to its present institutional framework policies, systems, structures and procedures. On the other hand, we civilians, as an equally important component in the Transformation Program of the PNP shall be empowered with the knowledge of our rights. Consequently, all of us should have unity for the betterment of all, in a manner that PNP is currently facing challenges and problems in the delivery of police services. For instance, all of us Filipinos should unite to condemn the non-stop bombing in our native land.
It was said that the Transformation Program was passed through a Torch Relay Activities which has already been passed in some regions and continue to do until all regions have participated in this said caravan. It serves as a symbol of the PNP’s fervent desire to transform the institution into a more credible, reliable, fair and effective police force. Running towards genuine transformation is what the symbolic burning torch also signifies. The Torch Run also emphasized the seriousness in reforming policemen in uniform and generated awareness of various institutional activities and projects.
“ The PNP Transformation Torch envisioned to blaze a path of positive change in the PNP making it capable, effective and credible police force which will meet the needs of Filipino people in recent times,” PDG General Jesus A. Verzosa, also added.
In Region VIII, Director Cabalquinto on the other hand, sees the torch as a symbol of change, a noble epitome to institute changes and reforms from within the organizations and within a person.
Accordingly, PNP Transformation Torch is the beacon that carries the light symbolizing the Transformation Program being undertaken by the PNP to turn itself into a more ideal organization. As a light turns away darkness, so does the torch inspire, motivate and encourage the men and women of the PNP to never lose hope, press on and run the race towards genuine transformation.
This goal of having transformed PNP is anchored on challenges that the organization is facing today. It has to transcend its limitations to actualize a safe place for people to live, invest, work and do business.
The said transformations are really good news to the common people. But how these reforms are delivered? In delivering these transformations in their best, they are always coupled with challenges that our men in uniform are facing. To mention some are lack of budget allocation for their benefits that of course made some policemen tempted to bribery, drug pushing, robbery, smuggling and the so called. Secondly, short of patrol cars and other vehicles that of course limits them in doing their continuous patrol. Inadequate communication equipment that leads to poor coordination among police personnel is also a big challenge.. These are some of the reality issues our PNP is facing and we can’t blame the people of having a bad notion about our policemen because of some who made blot on their escutcheon of course damaging the names of the many well performing policemen, the pro-reform policemen. We have to think always that policemen’s uniform may change with the climate but their outlook in life remains the same…hoping and wishing for a better life.
This made me realized that I am not luckier than my friend of having a father who is in uniform instead made me proud of my friend that his father is a father who protects the weak, who defends the innocent, who advocates human rights and above all who acts as a father to lot of kids mostly from other people, a father not only to her but to all.
I proudly Salute these noble Men.