CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 10 – The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) – 10 convened for its 1st Quarter Meeting to establish strategic priorities and initiatives aimed at enhancing peace and security across the region for 2025.

In his opening message, Camiguin Governor and RPOC 10 Chair Xavier Jesus D. Romualdo welcomed the newly installed Commanding General of the 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, BGen Michele B. Anayron, Jr. The council also expressed its gratitude to MGen Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II for his invaluable service as Vice-Chairperson of RPOC-10 for the CY 2023-2025 term.

Following this, Gov. Romualdo reiterated the guidance from the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (SILG) Jonvic Remulla during the Assembly of the League of Provinces of the Philippines regarding the nationwide launching of the 911 Emergency Response System. Moreover, Gov. Romualdo also highlighted the Secretary’s directive for provincial governors to procure motorcycles for their local police to ensure efficient validation of emergency hotline reports. He also mentioned that fire trucks and ambulances would be provided to municipalities to enhance emergency response capabilities.

The meeting featured accomplishment reports from the Special Action Committees (SAC) on Anti-Insurgency, Anti-Criminality, Public Safety, and the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (RIATFE). These reports highlighted significant achievements, existing challenges, and key recommendations requiring the intervention of partner agencies.

Among other resolutions discussed, a proposal to include the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) 10 as a regular member of the RPOC was highlighted to strengthen its role in regional security and law enforcement coordination.

The Full Council Meeting was also graced by Congressman Jurdin Jesus M. Romulado, who underscored the urgent need to address water resource challenges in Region 10. He requested a forum to be held after the elections to discuss water resource issues in the region, to be spearheaded by the DENR and other concerned agencies. Recognizing the significance of this initiative, the council chair emphasized the necessity of passing a resolution on the matter, which was duly motioned and seconded.

DILG Officer-in-Charge Yvette Tolentino Sunga reminded the council about the updating of CY 2024 Actual Allocation and the reiteration of the POPSP-PCMS submission timeline. She also presented the Resolution urging LGUs, NGAs, and other concerned Institutions to refrain from using the term “Red-Tagging” in official reports, communications, and correspondences.”

In attendance were the RPOC 10 members, the Commission on Elections 10, Bureau of Customs – Port of Cagayan de Oro, Bureau of Internal Revenue Region 16 RDO No. 98 – Cagayan de Oro City, 10th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, National Police Commission 10, and Hon. Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo.