LAOAG CITY, September 2 (PIA) – Ilocos Norte Governor Imee R. Marcos has expressed her gratitude to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the recognitions she received recently.
Marcos is in honor roll list of DILG as one of 10 “Top Performing Governors” while the PNP has conferred a Plaque of Merit to the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) for being the “Most Outstanding Local Government Unit (LGU)” in region one.
“I thank the PNP and DILG for recognizing Ilocos Norte as one of the most peaceful places in the country,” Marcos said.
The DILG released its list of exemplary local officials who have proactive support and program in eliminating illegal drugs.
DILG Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno in a press release said that the list was also based on a holistic evaluation of provincial security, including disaster preparedness, transparent governance, and business competitiveness.
“They have proven to be very good administrators and very good governors,” Sueno said.
Marcos also shared her congratulations to the Ilocos Norte Provincial Police Office (INPPO),and barangay and civilian multiplier forces who have been the key to the province’s success against narco-trade.
Senior Supt. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., acting provincial director, has lauded the provincial government’s effort in building personnel and logistics capability and empowering the Ilocano community for crime prevention and reporting.
“Here in Ilocos Norte, the PGIN has been very supportive, very active, actually, proactive, kasisiyanamismoangnagpu-push. Siyanamismoangnagbibigayng idea, and ini-implement namin (Marcos personally gave us ideas and we implement it),” said Nartatez.
The PGIN has various programs in support to the INPPO in fighting various crimes, such as motorcycle donations, firepower, protective gear, search-and-rescue equipment, and most recently, the provision of three K-9 dogs capable of sniffing out illegal drugs and firearms.
The Kabataan Laban saDroga (KALASAG) program, which was organized in close partnership with the Ilocos Norte Youth Office (INYO) is also a very notable initiative of the province. According to the INPPO, for the past eight months, the average weekly street crime incidence in Ilocos Norte has decreased from 15 to seven, sometimes reaching as low as two in a week.
“Tremendous ang result because angdaminating force multipliers (The result is tremendous because we have lots of force multipliers),” Nartatez said.
Nartatez said that it is such indicators that led to the various recognitions and the inclusion of Marcos in the list of the Top Performing Governors. (Cherry Joy D. Garma/PIA-1, Ilocos Norte)
