In the opinion of Secretary Puno, the Arroyo administration holds an edge over the other administrations in the number of projects focused on infrastructure. And these infrastructure projects under the guidance of President Arroyo has helped shaped the direction of the country. He made this statement during his visit to Lingayen, Pangasinan where he was invited to induct the more than 13,500 new members of the barangay peacekeeping action teams otherwise known as the BPATs.
The secretary added that the Arroyo government did not only scored high on infrastructure, rather the administration also scored well in health, the economy and tourism. Puno went on and said that the administration of President Arroyo is the one that helped the country withstand the pressures of the global economic downturn. Though he gave his props for the infrastructure projects of the Arroyo government, he did not turn a blind eye on the projects of the past administration. But he qualified this by saying that there were more projects under the current administration. On his visit to Lingayen, he was also asked regarding the future of the BPAT on whether this new program will be similar to the existing barangay auxiliary force or also known as the barangay tanod.
Though at the surface the two are similar in roles, the secretary said that there are some major differences between the two. He said that this new peacekeeping organization will be involved in peacekeeping activities in the community level. For example, it is the role of the BPATs to watch the neighborhood and to report the issues to the authorities. And the difference is that this BPAT will not engage in the police functions like going after criminals and offenders- this is the role of the tanods. The secretary also shot down talks and perceptions that the BPATs will only be used for political purposes. This latest initiative from the Department of Interior and Local Government will surely serve its purpose in keeping communities safe and will in fact complement the role and the operations of the existing Barangay tanods. The secretary also answered questions regarding teh much-talked about infomercials about the services of the department and added that no public funds were used in the production of these ads.
Though at the surface the two are similar in roles, the secretary said that there are some major differences between the two. He said that this new peacekeeping organization will be involved in peacekeeping activities in the community level. For example, it is the role of the BPATs to watch the neighborhood and to report the issues to the authorities. And the difference is that this BPAT will not engage in the police functions like going after criminals and offenders- this is the role of the tanods. The secretary also shot down talks and perceptions that the BPATs will only be used for political purposes. This latest initiative from the Department of Interior and Local Government will surely serve its purpose in keeping communities safe and will in fact complement the role and the operations of the existing Barangay tanods. The secretary also answered questions regarding teh much-talked about infomercials about the services of the department and added that no public funds were used in the production of these ads.
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