The 24-hour duty scheme for police officers in Northern Mindanao has been abolished to improve the efficiency of law enforcement personnel in responding to emergencies.

The so-called “tumba-tumba” duty practice among police officers in the region is no longer being implemented.

Under the previous 24-hour duty scheme, a police officer would render duty for 24 hours and take a 24-hour rest period the next day before returning to another 24-hour shift.

Now, all personnel will follow an eight-hour work schedule.

Based on assessment of the Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO-10), police personnel are more efficient, alert, and physically fit when they are given enough time to spend with their families and rest at their respective homes.

“Ang atong katuyuan niini dili lang ang pagkunhod sa atong serbisyo but ang pagpalig-on sa atong serbisyo kay kung atoang pagalantawon wala’y usa ka tawo nga 24 hrs nga alerto, 24 hrs nga mata diin kabalo kita nga ang nature sa trabaho sa kapulisan dapat alerto gyud,” PRO-10 Spokesperson, Major Joann Navarro, said.

A police chief master sergeant assigned as a base police at PRO-10 welcomed the new duty scheme.

He said that since its implementation, he has been able to spend more time with his family, attend to his personal needs, and take better care of his health, especially with enough time allotted for rest.

However, he clarified that even when he is off duty, he is still prepared to respond and provide assistance during emergencies.

“Personal sir no, mas maayo gyud sa atong pagpanarbaho ato pud hatagan og pagtagad ang atong panlawas tungod kay kini atong panlawas kay mao ra pud ni ang atong puhunan. Gani, dako kayo ang among pagpasalamat sa atong RD karon sa PRO-10 tungod kay gihatag niya ang moral and welfare sa iyang katawhan,” Chief Master Sergeant Alfredo Navaja said.

PRO-10 also clarified that while the eight-hour duty schedule is now implemented, the actual work hours may still depend on the assignment of the personnel and the nature of their tasks.

“3 shifting 8 hrs duty aduna sila’y 16 hrs pud nga kana sa ilaha we really encourage them nga gamiton ang maong oras usab dili sa paglaroy-laroy but sa sakto nga pagpahulay kauban ang ilang pamilya, gamiton kini nga oras sa pamilya,” Navarro said.