“They Came, They Gathered, They Conquered.”
“Let us take up this challenge with courage and determination by working together to build a stronger and more resilient Philippines – one where the rule of law is upheld, where our communities are safe and secure, and where all Filipinos can thrive and prosper”, PGen Azurin.
Philippine National Police Chief Police General Rodolfo S. Azurin, Jr. presented the challenge of promoting unity, cooperation, and progress among KASIMBAYAN Advocates and Volunteers in his message.
The Philippine National Police extends its gratitude, through its top cop, to the congress’ facilitators, organizers, and attendees for a climactic two-day KASIMBAYANAN Volunteer National Congress on March 30 and 31, 2023. Indeed, a success, the Congress was held under the theme “Transition of KASIMBAYANAN Community Transformation into Nation-Building.”
The first day of the national congress was held at the PNP Transformation Oval in Camp Brigadier General Rafael T. Crame, Quezon City where the Caravan for PNP Frontline Services were tendered to participants. These were e-Sumbong from the Police Community Affairs and Development Group (PCADG); legal services from the Legal Service (LS); medical consultation and psychological support from the Health Service (HS); cybercrime investigation from the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG); motor vehicle registration clearance from the Highway Patrol Group (HPG); International Help Desk (PNP Overseas Filipino (OF) Help) National Police Clearance from the Directorate for Intelligence (DI); License to Own and Possess Firearms from the Civil Security Group (CSG); and Women and Children Protection Desk from the PNP Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC).
More than 3,000 community volunteers, faith-based leaders, government officials, and personnel from the Philippine National Police attended the event from across the 17 different regions in the country. It was held at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in Santolan Road, Barangay Corazon de Jesus in San Juan City.
The Revitalized PNP KASIMBAYANAN Program represents the synergistic partnership between the police force, the religious group, and the community. The program’s overarching goal is to bring about a comprehensive change for both PNP and the community it serves.
Atty. Juan Victor Llamas, the Undersecretary for External Legal and Legislative Affairs, served as the Guest of Honor and Speaker at the event on behalf of Atty. Benjamin C. Abalos Jr., the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The participants in the Congress took part in a variety of activities over the course of two days in order to foster development of the nation. They also discussed the challenges they face and the victories they have so far achieved in the process of transforming their communities, with emphasis on scalable models that can be utilized in a variety of contexts.
In his message, Atty. Llamas conveyed his gratitude for the contributions made by the Kapulisan, the Simbahan, and the Pamayanan toward the development of the nation, emphasizing at the same time, the significance of the involvement of communities in the process of nation-building. He urged everyone to keep working together toward the common goal of a better and stronger country.
“As we look ahead to the future of our country, nation-building must start at the grassroots level. The work that you do in your respective communities even up to the smallest barangays is essential to building a stronger and more prosperous Philippines. It is through our collective efforts that we can create a more inclusive and equitable society, where every Filipino has the opportunity to succeed”, USec Llamas said.
The District Director of Quezon City Police District (QCPD), National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), PBGen Nicolas D. Torre III, took the podium to present QCPD’s effective projects in active partnership with the Quezon City local government.
These projects that earned the praises of everyone were the QC Helpline 122 – an enhanced emergency hotline that provides assistance during emergencies as well as a complaint and feedback mechanism from its callers; the efficiency of the three-minute police response time policy through the Integrated Command and Control Center; and the QC Drone Squadron used for surveillance and other operations pertaining to police works, which left every spectator in awe with its demonstration.
Other distinguished guests who attended the national event included the Honorable Francisco Javier Zamora, Mayor of San Juan City; the Honorable Benedicta B. Taiozun, Municipal Mayor of San Francisco, Southern Leyte; Bishop Jonel Milan, Chairman of the Philippine Campus Crusade for Christ; Bishop Vincent Vincencio, President of the Better Philippines Movement/Christian Coalition Movement; Bishop Noel A. Pantoja, National Director of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, Inc.; Most Rev. Oscar L. Florencio, Bishop, Military Ordinariate of the Philippines; and Imam Aleem Said Ahmad Basher, Chairman of Imam Council of the Philippines.
