RPOC-NIR HOLDS 4TH QUARTER MEETING

Negros Occidental Governor and RPOC-NIR chairperson Bong Lacson presided over the 4th quarter Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) meeting at Sierra Hotel in Dumaguete City on December 18, where officials reviewed the region's peace and security situation over the past quarter and set priorities to ensure effective peace and order strategies.

In his opening statement, Gov. Lacson thanked all RPOC-NIR member agencies for implementing numerous peace and development initiatives throughout the year, which he said have contributed greatly to the region's stability and progress.

"The accomplishments remind us that peace is not achieved by a single institution, but through collective, sustained, and coordinated action," he said.

Also attending the meeting was Negros Governor and Regional Development Council chairperson Manuel Sagarbarria.

DILG NIR OIC Regional Director Lailyn Ortiz serves as the council's secretariat.

Among the approved agenda items were the inclusion of the Liga ng mga Barangay NIR as a member of the expanded RPOC; a resolution urging Local Peace and Order Councils in NIR to strictly regulate the use of firecrackers; a resolution for the creation of an Inter-Agency Port Interdiction; and a resolution condemning the recent brutal killings of civilians by the CPP-NPA.*