A tool for continued commitment
THE convening of the National Advisory Group for Police Transformation and Development (NAGPTD) may be viewed as purely cosmetic. Having a number of “trophy” advisers for the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief as he pushes for the execution of the strategy for PNP transformation over the long term gives him some “bragging rights”. However, the members of the NAGPTD, with their background and commitment to good governance, can never be consigned only to the “trophy room” for decorative purposes. They are clear about what their role is –to provide advice; to give suggestions; to ask for accountability; and to facilitate the multifaceted tasks associated with communicating the transformative changes and genuine accomplishments of the PNP, as it goes through the different stages of the PNP governance program.
It has been PNP’s good fortune that it could count on very pro-active advisers—members of the NAGPTD—who were not shy about airing their suggestions, asking relevant questions, and demanding “real stuff ” with respect to the PNP integrity initiative. Since they were spending a great deal of their precious time, pro bono, in carrying out their duties as members of the NAGPTD, they naturally expected that the Chief PNP and the other senior officers who would attend the NAGPTD meetings would be as genuinely committed to the pursuit of all the strategic priorities included in the PNP strategy and transformation road map. This had one beneficial side-effect: given their commitment, members of the NAGPTD would end up serving in such an advisory council for an average of more than three years. Moreover, the succession process was such that there would be some degree of continuity: only a certain percentage of the membership would change in any given year. As a result, virtually all members of the NAGPTD would serve in the advisory board for a period much longer than the term of the Chief PNP. Thus, with the inevitable faster turn-over of the position of Chief PNP, the NAGPTD would have members, each of whom would serve beyond the term of two or even three Chiefs PNP.
In this light, it can be said that the NAGPTD has come to serve a very important function: it became one of the tools for continuing attention and importance being given to the PNP PATROL Plan for 2030. The Chief PNP may change due to mandatory retirement (at age 56), but the members of the NAGPTD do not change that often or as frequently. From the governance perspective, the feature of continuity has proven to be of incalculable value.
Beyond serving as a tool for continuity, the members of the NAGPTD have also contributed in many direct, positive ways towards providing momentum and greater substance to the PNP strategy map. According to Noel Baraceros, these include:
• “Arrangement for the donation of police stations within certain malls. Through the initiative of the chairman of NAGPTD, Mr Rex C Drilon, Ayala Corporation opened the way by setting up police stations in the different Ayala Malls. Similar arrangements were being made with malls owned and operated by SM and Robinsons as well. A good example of private-public partnership for ensuring greater public safety!”
• “Development of the ‘e-GIS’ (electronic geographic information system), developed by the Police Regional Office Cordillera (PRO COR) with the assistance and support of the students of the different colleges and universities, to enhance its crime prevention and crime solution initiatives: its nationwide replication has been upon instance of the NAGPTD”.
• “Development of the electronic individual scorecard (e-isc) by the Center for Police Strategy Management (CPSM) with the support and assistance of students from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP): this is being pilot-tested for nationwide roll-out, again with support of the NAGPTD.”
• “The approval of Local Anti-Criminality Action Plans with the involvement and participation of the local government units, which then proceeded to allocate funds from their IRA to support and augment the regular fund support (from GAA) provided by the PNP to its local police units. This has been institutionalized as “best practice” in areas such as San Fernando La Union, Masbate City, Iloilo City, Valenzuela City, Marikina City, San Juan City, etc. An example of LGU-PNP partnership!In addition, many LGUs have donated much needed logistical and financial resources to augment the very limited PNP resources to improve PNP capability for mobility, communications and investigation. In addition, training assistance has been provided by many LGUs to local police units.”
The list of partnerships can go on and on. Behind such partnerships has been the contribution of several members of the NAGPTD and of the local communities that the PNP serves.