19/02/2025
February 19, 2025
Antique peace council gets national DILG praise for 2023 performance
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has recognized the Antique provincial government and its 18 municipalities as โhigh-performingโ Peace and Order Councils (POCs) for the calendar year 2023, making it the only province in Panay to achieve a 100% compliance rating.
This recognition is based on the results of the 2023 Peace and Order Council Performance Audit released by the DILG.
DILG Antique Provincial Director John Ace Azarcon stated in an interview that the rating indicates provincial and municipal POCs were well-organized, adequately resourced, and financially supported in implementing crime prevention measures and ensuring public safety.
The overall coordination between national and local offices, members of the POCs, made Antique a โpractically peaceful provinceโ according to Azarcon.
Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao responded to the audit results by stating that Antiqueโs Local Peace and Order Councils have made significant strides in ensuring peace and security throughout the province.
โAntique has consistently been among the provinces with the lowest crime rates, and for years, we have been declared insurgency-free,โ said Gov. Cadiao, who serves as chairperson of the Provincial Peace and Order Council.
โAntique is a relatively quiet province, crime-wise, and we want to keep it that way,โ added the governor.
In 2023, Antique was among the provinces with the lowest crime rates in Western Visayas, recording a 6.33% decline in crime incidents compared to 2022.
That same year, the DILG recognized the province as 99.66% insurgency-free. Additionally, Antique continues to see a rise in the number of former rebels surrendering to authorities.
The DILG audits POCs based on two major indicators: functionality and development.
For functionality, each POC must be properly organized, hold meetings, create policies, develop plans and budgets, exercise general supervision, and implement innovations. Under development, POCs are evaluated based on their impact, including addressing criminality, ensuring public safety, promoting gender sensitivity, and encouraging citizen participation.
DILG Antique is now preparing for the 2024 performance audit. Azarcon is challenging all LGUs not only to maintain their current performance but also to improve and innovate.
โThe challenge for us now is to maintain our status and improve our service delivery. At the same time, I encourage everyone to embrace innovation so that we can serve as an example for other POCs to emulate,โ said Azarcon.
Azarcon also credited Antiqueโs success to Gov. Cadiaoโs leadership as chairperson.
โBasically, none of the POCโs programs would have been successful without the leadership of the chairperson.โ
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