THE famous words ‘Whoever wins the population wins the war’ is really true in this small part of Caloocan City formerly occupied by hundreds of informal settlers blocking the area leading to a major government road development project.

Finally, residents of Sitio Gitna in Barangay 166, Caloocan City have left their houses to give way to the resumption of the long-delayed Mindanao Avenue Extension Segment 2C Project of the national government.

Much credit has been given to the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP SAF) formerly headed by Major General Edgar Alan O. Okubo and now Brigadier Gen. Rudolph B. Dimas for launching the program that really softened the hearts of the informal settlers.

Maj. Gen. Okubo and Brig. General, soon-to-be Maj. Gen. Dimas are members of PNP Academy ‘Tagapagpatupad’ Class of 1992. Okubo is now National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director while Dimas was the erstwhile Police Regional Office 5 director in Bicol region before being named by PNP chief, General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. as PNP-SAF director last March 2.

The Journal Group learned that the residents of Sitio Gitna were manipulated by some individuals into believing that they can win against
the government.

Thus, their violent resistance and refusal to leave the place caused the delay in the implementation of the Mindanao Avenue Extension Project which will help speed up traffic in the area and contribute to economic growth in Caloocan to Quezon City and other parts of Metro Manila.

After three months of staying in the area to implement their vaunted Revitalized-Pulis sa Barangay or R-PSB program, the PNP-SAF proved that dedication to duty is really the key in winning the trust and confidence of the people in any community.

PNP-SAF officials explained that the residents of Sitio Gitna are informal settlers who struggled for survival for years since majority of them were not willing to abandon the homes they have built in a space owned by the government.

Brig. Gen. Dimas said members of the PNP-SAF’s 24th Special Action Company were deployed in Sitio Gitna to assist the government in providing basic services to the people and eventually convinced them to relocate.

The SAF troops were specifically tasked to soften the resistance from the families of informal settlers who refused to relocate. Although they were trained for combat, the team initiated various programs and projects in coordination with the local government of Caloocan City, other government and non-government organizations and the partners from the private sectors.

For weeks, the PNP-SAF commandos conducted needs assessment surveys in the area and discovered that the Sitio Gitna community has deeply-rooted problems that can only be solved through the so-called ‘whole-of-government’ approach.

The PNP-SAF troopers also went the extra mile in providing community programs that moved the citizens of Sitio Gitna to give way to the road development project of the government.

Led by Captain Ian Henry Doctor, members of the SAF company acted as ‘mediators’ to the Sitio Gitna community and various government agencies involved in the road improvement project.

The unit literally acted as the ‘link’ between the informal settlers’ and the Sitio Gitna residents who later realized that thru the PNP-SAF, the government is delivering them efficient basic services.

Some of the activities launched by the PNP-SAF in the area include the processing of birth certificates, marriage contracts and certificate of no marriage record of local residents who for years have not acquired these basic documents.

With the help of the Local Civil Registrar and the Philippine Statistics Authority, the PNP-SAF commandos gave the Sitio Gitna residents these documents which they need in applying for jobs and in availing of other government packages.

Under their Retooled Community Support Program, the PNP-SAF men, with the help of the City Social Welfare Development assisted in processing the Solo Parent ID and ‘Balik-Probinsiya’ program for local residents who were affected by the involuntary relocation.

The Public Employment Service also helped the PNP-SAF provide skills development and livelihood trainings for local residents while the National Housing Authority processed their application for relocation in government shelters.

The PNP-SAF commandos also helped bring cheers to young residents of Sitio Gitna by providing them a free tour of the ‘Lights of Christmas’ in Taguig City while launching a massive clean-up, an Oplan: Tuli or circumcision project, a Pamaskong Handog and a sing-and-dance contest for the kids last Christmas.

The residents have been already trained by the PNP-SAF troopers on how to make dishwashing liquid, fabric conditioners and liquid detergents which they can use at home and sell to others to earn a living. Some also receive tips on baking.

Over the past three months, the PNP-SAF team also conducted beat patrol from night to dawn in Sitio Gitna to ensure that peace and order is maintained. Since Day 1 of their presence in the area, residents have agreed that the presence of the commandos scared lawless elements hiding in their community and prompted them to leave their residences.

The commandos at the same time provided immediate 1st aid and other medical assistance to residents who have figured in accidents and helped bring to the nearest hospital facilities those who are in great need of medical attention, all for free.

Last March 14 to 16, the SAF’s 24th Special Action Company was able to assist the Caloocan City government and the NHA in relocating 70 Sitio Gitna families to their relocation areas in Camarin Residence 3 to pave the way for the resumption of the Mindanao Avenue Extension project.

The troopers even helped the local residents haul their appliances and other personal belongings to government vehicles that transported them to their new relocation site.

As a result, the Mindanao Avenue Extension Project has been given to green light to resume its implementation.

The 2th SAC will be pulled out from Sitio Gitna and will be asked to return to their Bulacan headquarters for their conduct of internal security operation duties.

On orders of Maj. Gen. Okubo, four teams of policemen from the Caloocan City Police Station will continue the SAF’s R-PSB duties in Sitio Gitna and will guard the equipment of the Department of Public Works and Highways until the situation normalizes in the area,

The Caloocan City policemen will be oriented on their R-PSB duties by the PNP-SAF commandos, the Journal Group learned.