Republic of the Philippines

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos today pushed for reforms that would lead to the decongestion of jail facilities nationwide to attain what he described as an enhanced justice system in the country. “As one of the principals of the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC), the DILG remains steadfast in supporting initiatives to address jail overcrowding, and contribute to the enhancement of our criminal justice system (in the country),” he said in his message read by Undersecretary Juan Victor R. Llamas during the National Decongestion Summit. According to Abalos, jail overcrowding leads to deplorable conditions for PDLs which compromise their health and well-being, and hinders their seamless reintegration into society. He further explained that through the participation of various sectors and the support of the legislative branch of the government, the much-needed reforms to address jail congestion will be legislated and adequate funds to support these reforms will be given. Spearheaded by the JSCC, the National Decongestion Summit with the theme “Decongest and Reintegrate: A Conference to Unlock Solutions to Jail and Prison Overcrowding” was held at the Diamond Hotel in Manila. JSCC serves as a joint forum for dialogue, coordination and sharing of information in support of planning and implementation of joint initiatives of the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, and the DILG, “In our pursuit of Bagong Pilipinas, let us ensure that no one is left behind or marginalized in peace and development,” he said. The Philippines has 165,000 persons incarcerated which is 11th most worldwide, and ranks third in overcrowding rate. Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, representing President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., said the problem of jail congestion requires a whole-of-government approach “to ensure the efficient, effective, and compassionate administration of justice in the country.” He likewise urged the JSCC to pursue the streamlining and digitalization of its frontline and back-end services. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, and officials from the DILG and DOJ also graced the event .###

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is set to award the most outstanding lupong tagapamayapa nationwide for their significant efforts in amicably settling neighborhood disputes in the slated Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentive Awards 2023 (LTIA). DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos said the LTIA aims to recognize the lupons as mediation board that adequately demonstrated the ability to judiciously and expeditiously resolve cases brought before them and promoted and implemented the Katarungang Pambarangay (KP). “Bilang pangunahing tagapamagitan sa tuwing mayroong hindi pagkakaunawaan ang mga magkakabarangay, tunay na napakahalaga ng ginagampanang papel ng ating mga Lupon sa pagsusulong ng kaayusan at katarungan sa mga pamayanan,” Abalos said. “This is a clear manifestation that our justice system at the barangay level is working and vibrant and that our Lupons have been very effective in carrying their mandate of amicably settling disputes at the barangay level,” he added. The Lupon is composed of the Punong Barangay as chairperson and 10 and 20 community members that perform mediation, conciliation, or arbitration of local disputes. The LTIA, which started in 1982, was elevated to a Presidential Award by Executive Order 394, entitled “Establishing the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards” in 1997. The overall body in charge of the LTIA is the National Awards Committee (NAC), composed of the DILG Secretary as chairman, the DOJ Secretary as vice chairman. They are joined by the national president of the Liga ng mga Barangay and representatives from the Supreme Court, National Peace and Order Council, and the private sector or civil society organization as members. The criteria for judging are: efficiency; creativity and resourcefulness; area or facility for KP activities; and financial or non-financial support, among others. LTIA winners will receive trophies and a cash prize of P300,000 for the first place, P250,000 for the second place, and P200,000 for the third place. The Hall of Fame awardees will each receive P300,000 and a trophy. The LTIA Awarding Ceremonies will be held on December 11 at The Manila Hotel. ###

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos has called on Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) leaders to join the government and be proactive in the fight against illegal drugs, malnutrition and stunting, HIV/AIDS, and other societal ills that confront the nation. Speaking before some 1,000 newly-minted SK Federation Presidents and Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadets during the National Youth Convention 2023 in Baguio City on Saturday, Abalos dared the youth to participate in the grand task of nation-building as he acknowledged their crucial role in addressing societal problems. “You, the Filipino youth, hold immense power to help address societal concerns. Your talents, skills, and numerical advantage make you a formidable force for positive change,” he said. The DILG chief also encouraged SK leaders to include and prioritize in their respective Local Youth Development Plans (LYDP) programs, projects, and activities that will help advocate the Department’s holistic anti-illegal drug program called Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan or BIDA program. “Help your fellow youths na mapalayo sa bisyong nakakasira ng kanilang kinabukasan,” he pointed out. Abalos also encouraged the SK officials to support their HIV/AIDS local coordinating councils, noting the “worrying” rise in HIV cases this 2023, a concern that is prevalent among FIlipino youth. Citing data from the Department of Health, he said there are 50 new cases of HIV cases in the Philippines daily, which is more than double the 22 daily cases reported last year. The latest figures also show that cases are rising in the younger population, with 47% of the registered cases daily from Filipinos aged 15 to 24. Likewise, the DILG Secretary rallied the youth leaders to give importance to nutrition programs to help address the country’s problems of malnutrition, hunger, and high prevalence of stunting. “Mga kabataan, eto ang hamon ko sa inyo: isapuso ninyo ang inyong responsibilidad bilang mga lider ng susunod na henerasyon. Kayo ang may kakayahang humubog sa tatahakin ng ating bansa sa susunod na mga dekada’t siglo,” Abalos concluded. Organized by the National Youth Commission (NYC) and DILG, in partnership with PMA, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Department of National Defense, the National Youth Convention 2023 provided participants with a comprehensive overview of the youth landscape in the Philippines. It also tackled the National Youth Assessment Study, the role of the NYC and the Philippine Youth Development Plan 2013-2028, as well as the Philippine National Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security. ###

BFP6 List of Newly Appointed Fire Officer 1

BFP6 Amended List of Successful Applicants to be Appointed as Fire Officer I

BFP6 List of Successful Applicants to be Appointed as Fire Officer I

BFP6 List of FO1 Applicants Who Passed the Physical Exam

In a proactive move to evaluate the past fiscal year’s performance and pave the way for a successful 2024, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) VI hosted a comprehensive Year-End Performance Review and Strategic Planning event at District 21 Hotel on November 22-23, 2023. The event saw active participation from key decision-makers, including DILG provincial and city directors, cluster heads, program managers, budget officers, LGRRC facility heads, division and unit chiefs, and planning officers. DILG VI Assistant Regional Director, Maria Calpiza J. Sardua reflected on the challenges of 2023, stating, “This year has been somehow challenging. This is the year when we transitioned to the new normal, and implementation of PPAs was not that smooth. This activity will ensure that 2024 will be a lot better.” The Annual Operations Plan and Budget’s Year-End Performance Review played a pivotal role in organizational governance, specifically in the context of social and community development initiatives. Looking ahead to FY 2024, the strategic planning process integrated insights gleaned from the performance review, aligning DILG Plans such as Learning and Development, LGRRC Plan, and GAD Plans into the FY 2024 AOPB. Workshops, following presentations, focused on ensuring indicators’ practical applicability to offices, provinces, or cities, underscoring a commitment to impactful initiatives. The second day of the event featured workshops, allowing field offices to identify their activities for the upcoming year. Subsequently, the DILG regional calendar of activities was meticulously plotted, harmonizing consolidated activities from both field offices and the regional office to prevent scheduling conflicts and ensure each activity serves its purpose. As the DILG VI gears up for 2024, this strategic initiative sets the stage for a year of progress, collaboration, and impactful community development. ###

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos on Thursday (November 30) called for continuing fight for the protection of human rights of women and young girls by addressing all forms of gender-based violence. Abalos issued the statement even as the entire nation observes the ongoing 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women and Children (VAW) led by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW). PCW is an attached agency of the DILG. “Let us focus on the government’s advocacy of protecting the human rights of women and girls by addressing all forms of gender-based violence,” said Abalos. Proclamation 1172 series of 2006 declares November 25 to December 12 as the annual 18-day VAWC campaign. He also stressed that the ongoing 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women and Children led by the PCW is strictly a non-partisan activity. This, as he discouraged the use of PCW-produced materials for political gains, favors, and grandstanding. “Let us maintain the significance and integrity of the campaign,” he pointed out. This year’s VAW campaign caters to the recurring theme “UNITEd for a VAW-free Philippines” from 2022-2027 in line with the UN Women’s UNITE by 2030 to End VAW Campaign. In DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2023-186, Abalos encouraged LGUs to utilize their Gender and Development (GAD) budget on activities that are aligned with the theme of the campaign and relevant to their mandates. Such activities may include the conduct of online forums or orientations on anti-VAW laws; installation of an “Orange Exhibit on their VAW milestones; and public showing of PCW-produced VAW videos and services. LGUs are also encouraged to use the all-women cast of the Lupang Hinirang AVP during their flag ceremony and participate in the Online Campaign Thread, using the hashtag #VAWfreePH and #VowToEndVAW. The DILG Chief also urged collaboration among other national government agencies or LGUs in holding GAD-related activities at the regional level, including local inter-agency committees on trafficking in persons (TIP) and violence against women and children (VAWC). ###

PAHAYAG NG DILG SA PAGBUO AT PAGPAPAKILOS SA MGA LOCAL PRICE COORDINATING COUNCIL NGAYONG KAPASKUHAN ATTY. BENJAMIN C. ABALOS, JR. Kalihim ng DILG Ngayong malapit na ang Kapaskuhan, inaatasan natin ang lahat ng local chief executives sa buong bansa na bumuo at siguruhin ang pagkilos ng kani-kanilang Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC), upang subaybayan at tutukan ang suplay at presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin, lalo na ang mga produktong pang-Noche Buena. Tungkulin ng mga LPCC na protektahan ang mga mamimili. Kaya inaasahan ko na maglalatag kayo ng mga hakbang para pangalagaan ang kanilang kapakanan at interes at siguruhing sulit ang halaga ng kanilang binibili. Katuwang ang Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), at iba pang ahensya ng gobyerno, dapat nating siguruhin na walang mananamantala sa ating mga kababayan ngayong Kapaskuhan. Ngayon pa lang ay mag-iikot na kayo sa mga palengke, supermarket at iba pang pamilihan upang tiyakin na stable ang suplay at nakaayon sa suggested retail price ang binebenta nilang mga produktong pang-Noche Buena. Bantayan natin ang labis at hindi makatwirang pagtaas ng presyo! Kaugnay nito, binabalaan natin ang mga indibidwal at pamilihan na nagbabalak lumabag sa mga alituntunin ng pamahalaan. Sumunod po tayo sa suggested retail price (SRP) ng mga produkto na itinalaga ng DTI. Bawal na bawal ang overpricing! Ang diwa ng Kapaskuhan ay pagmamahalan at pagbibigayan.  Huwag po nating gamitin ang okasyong ito para mang-abuso ng mga mamimili. Maging responsableng negosyante upang maging masaya at masagana ang pagdiriwang ng Kapaskuhan ng bawat Pilipino. ###