MANILA, April 25 (PNA) -- Pangasinan province 2nd District Rep.
and former police general Leopoldo Bataoil (Nationalist People's Coalition
party) will further push for enactment of law enforcement-enhancing bills, if
elected this year to his second House term, to help promote better security and
more development nationwide.
He noted one of his target proposed bills will cover the latest
re-organization bid of Philippine National Police (PNP) so this agency can meet
its goal of evolving into a truly professional organization that'll more
effectively maintain peace and order across the country.
"We also need additional courts so I'll re-file my bill on
this matter as well," he said during State-run PTV 4's 'Paghahanda para sa
Hatol ng Bayan' program for the 2013 mid-term polls.
He's optimistic such courts' establishment will help fast-track
resolution of environment-related cases and boost efforts for promoting
ecological balance amidst climate change threats.
PNP earlier targeted transforming itself in 20 years to be more
effective in carrying out its mandate.
RA 6975 created PNP in 1990 in line with the State's policy
"to promote peace and order, ensure public safety and further strengthen
local government capability aimed towards the effective delivery of the basic
services to the citizenry through the establishment of a highly efficient and
competent police force that is national in scope and civilian in
character."
RA 8551 (Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act
of 1998) amended RA 6975.
In 2009, government amended both laws by enacting RA 9708 (An Act
Extending for Five Years the Reglementary Period for Complying with the Minimum
Educational Qualification for Appointment to PNP and Adjusting the Promotion
System Thereof).
Bataoil said he and PNP already commenced discussing this agency's
ideas for its re-organization.
"PNP plans instituting more change for the better and sought
my help to realize this," he said.
He noted one of PNP's ideas for the re-organization is
streamlining its structure so the agency can operate more efficiently.
"PNP's aiming for better management and control of
areas," he said.
Final plans for PNP's re-organization will be spelled out in
Bataoil's proposed bill on this matter.
"The uniformed service needs partners to institutionalize its
priorities," he noted.
This year, Bataoil is running against Ma. Blanca Kim
Bernardo-Lokin (Liberal Party) in Pangasinan's 2nd District.
"My program for action is aligned with the provincial
government's vision to make Pangasinan the best place to work and live
in," Bataoil said.
He described Pangasinan as 'generally peaceful."
Pangasinan is also the country's fourth top sports contender and
Region 1's leading province in terms of health service delivery, he continued.
Bataoil acknowledged Pangasinan still has its share of peace and
order problems, poverty concerns and other burdens despite this province's
progress, however.
"We're already looking into those problems," he assured.
Generating education and livelihood opportunities are among his
priorities for further improving conditions in Pangasinan.
Bataoil said his 2013 election campaign is funded by supporters'
poll contributions for him.
"I'm making up for my meager campaign funds by directly
approaching people to explain my platform," he said.
He reported campaigning without bodyguards, believing his
constituents themselves will protect him from possible elements opposing his
re-election bid.
Despite running against a candidate from the administration's
party, Bataoil is optimistic about his poll chances this year.
"I believe there's a big chance for me to further serve my
district," he said. (Catherine J Teves/Lily O Ramos/Media Ng Bayan)