POCs to undergo annual performance audit
THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will subject the country’s 1,715 peace and order councils (POCs) to an annual performance audit – this time with a higher compliant rating percentage.
According to Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr., the move is to ensure the POCs compliance with the government’s security measures.
“Through this yearly audit, we want to make sure that our regional, provincial, city and municipal POCs are functional and are carrying out strategies and interventions to further improve the peace and order situation in their areas,” Abalos said.
This year’s performance audit requires the local POCs to have grades of at least 70 percent compared to last year’s 65 percent to be considered “functional” where the basis would be on the pillars in organization, meetings, policies, plan and budget, reports and general supervision.
“Ang mas mataas na functionality rate ng POCs ay repleksyon ng mas kaaya-ayang mga LGUs (The higher the functionality rate of the PCO is a reflection of a more pleasurable LGUs),’’ the DILG chief pointed out.
He emphasized that POCs will bring meaningful development in their areas such as increase in participation and engagements of various sectors.
Abalos also bared that ‘bonus points’ await the POCs that have made innovations or new programs that contribute dramatically in maintaining peace, order and security in their respective localities.
Under Executive Order No. 773, POCs are required to meet every three months, must have a three-term based plan in peace and order and public safety (POPS), allocate yearly budget in the illegal drug campaign and submit accomplishment reports using the POPS Plan Policy Compliance Monitoring System.
Also, part of audit performance is the first ever ‘development indicators’ like the effectiveness in addressing criminality issues, citizen’s satisfaction on peace and order and public safety and women’s participation in POCs.
Abalos clarified that the indicator will only serve as the ‘baseline data’ and will not be part of the overall performance scores.
