PNP launches BaCoD, Food Bank for communities amid pandemic

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday launched Barangay COVID Defense (BaCoD) program, which aims to widen the cooperation of residents in communities in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

PNP chief Police General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan said under BaCoD program, the police would cater community clustering systems as a focused initiative to help the national government in enforcing measures and protocols at the barangay level.

"For years, the PNP has always recognized the participation of the community in fulfilling its duties at the frontlines. Sa pamamagitan ng BaCoD ay mas mapapalawak nito ang kooperasyon ng ating mga kababayan sa komunidad upang labanan ang COVID gayundin ang krimen at droga,” Cascolan said in a press release.

He explained that five to six barangays would be grouped into one cluster under the PNP Patrulya ng Bayan – Barangay Enforcement Teams (PnT-BET), which will perform specific functions such as assistance in preventing violation in minimum health standard protocols, providing security and patrol operations, encouraging backyard farming, security visibility in coordination with barangay councils, assistance in contact-tracing efforts, promoting livelihood programs like urban gardening, and other skills development.

“Aside from health welfare efforts in this time of pandemic, the program is also shared as a common goal for everyone – to take part in efforts on poverty alleviation and economic recovery programs,” Cascolan said.

Meanwhile, the police organization also launched the PNP Food Bank which will serve as a reservoir of food donations and other basic needs from various donors and stakeholders.

The Food Bank will manage donations to be distributed to communities and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and also during times of natural calamities and emergencies, Cascolan said.

"This is a fruit of our initiative to care about for our people. Kahit saan, kailanman ay nariyan ang inyong Pulisya para maglingkod sa ating mga kababayan na nangangailangan," Cascolan said.

"That’s why we bolster our partnership efforts with local government units, civic organizations, private entities, foundations, and other government agencies for this program,” he added.—LDF, GMA News