Gov wants changes in RPOC
by RG Alama
Davao City (3 July) -- Newly-appointed chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council Governor Douglas Ra. Cagas of Davao del Sur wants reforms for RPOC under his watch.
The Governor interviewed last July 1 at the Provincial Hospital in Digos City shortly before the arrival of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who was due to inaugurate the P6-million Out Patient building said that he wants to restructure the format of the RPOC.
"The RPOC will not just be a policy-making body but must have an implementing arm as well," the Governor said. He also said that the Local Government Units must have a greater role in the RPOC and also its members must be pro-government.
Cagas wants to put up a permanent office in Davao City which will house the RPOC's Executive Director who will help him in his visit to the provinces and also which will act as the implementing arm of RPOC's policies.
He also asked for more budget for the Council noting that the current funds are fit only for administrative expenses. "There is no budget yet for personnel, that is why I will talk to the Department of Interior and Local Government because I want a permanent office for RPOC," he said.
Cagas noted that the main problems of the RPOC are lack of mobility and lack of personnel, which he hopes to address as he seeks for funding to enlarge the role of the RPOC.
"The reason why Mayor Duterte was RPOC chair for a long time was because Davao City has many money, while Davao del Sur has none. All its money has been spent for development projects in the province like this (referring to the provincial hospital)," Cagas said.
The incoming chair also said that he is consulting with his predecessor (Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte) on how to go about his duties as RPOC chair. "I need his counsel, guidance, his help," Cagas said. (PIA) [top]
