Guv lauds 10,736 bantay bayan members

CITY

OF SAN FERNANDO – Governor Lilia G. Pineda lauded yesterday some 10,736 Bantay Bayan members from the 505 barangays of the province for their relentless efforts in assisting the government in its intensive fight against illegal drugs.

This was gleaned during the year-end assessment on the Anti-Illegal Drug Campaign held separately at Lubao Gymnasium and Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.

The governor said bantay bayan members serve as force multipliers of the local government unit, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in curbing all forms of criminality.

In particular, she also emphasized the involvement of bantay bayan members in the all-out war against illegal drugs through monitoring and reporting suspected drug peddlers and users.

"We only have 2,000 police officers but I am confident because I have more than 10,000 bantay bayan (members) that will help me fight [illegal] drugs," Pineda added.

She also reiterated the benefits of the families of bantay bayan members which they can avail of under PhilHealth membership program provided by the provincial government.

During the event, the governor revealed the possible tie-up of the provincial government with

the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital through the allotment of a two-story building and the possible construction of an annex building in Mexico Community Hospital worth P10 million.

The attendees received cash incentives and grocery packs.--- Ma. Reina Len Luna/ Pampanga PIO