The Regional Peace and Order Council – National Capital Region (RPOC-NCR) 2024 First Quarter Full Council Meeting, hosted by the DILG-NCR, was held at the Novotel Manila Araneta City, Cubao, Quezon City last March 13, 2024. Chairperson of the Regional Peace and Order Council-National Capital Region (RPOC-NCR) and San Juan City Mayor Francisco Javier M. Zamora led the First Quarter Full Council Meeting, and emphasized on the Council’s primary deliverables for the following quarter, which includes— Strengthening law enforcement and local government cooperation during the Holy Week and Ramadan, combating traffic congestion in Metro Manila and developing strategies to address the El Niño phenomenon.

The Full Council meeting was attended by RPOC-NCR Vice Chairpersons, NCR Police Office Regional Director PMGen Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr, and AFP Joint Task Force NCR Commander, BGen Jimmy D Larida, and Head Secretariat and DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III. Special Action Committee Leads Bureau of Fire Protection-NCR Regional Director FCSupt Nahum B. Tarroza, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-NCR Assistant Regional Director Laura Nebato (representing Regional Director Emerson Morales) were likewise in attendance along with officials and representatives from the Council’s member-agencies, and Local Peace and Order Councils (LPOCs), and representatives from the nominated Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). The Special Action Committee on Crime and Disorder (SAC CAD) led by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) presented the current peace and order situation in Metro Manila. Followed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) providing an update on traffic concerns in the region. The Special Action Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (SAC AID), with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for NCR (PDEA-NCR) as Lead, shared the Regional Status of Drug Clearing.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government for NCR (DILG-NCR) presented key points on the Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (ADAC) and Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADAC) Audits for Performance Year 2023. The Special Action Committee on Public Safety (SAC PS), led by the Bureau of Fire Protection for NCR (BFP-NCR), on the other hand, addressed fire prevention measures in their report. SAC PS highlighted the potential for increased fire risk due to El Niño 2024, which is expected to bring dry conditions from March to May. To address this concern, BFP-NCR recommended collaborating with the Council to develop joint fire prevention strategies. The Council agreed to this proposal and will work with Water Services Concessionaires to ensure sufficient water supply for firefighting during El Niño.

Additionally, they will explore the possibility of installing fire substations within private subdivisions. Head Secretariat RD Agustin expressed gratitude to the Council Agency and CSO Members for the collaborative efforts which brought about successful initiatives and operations in the past year. She emphasized the importance of continued collaboration with stakeholders, which will allow the Council to build upon its achievements and reach even greater heights in the coming year.

Chairman Zamora reflected on his year of leadership, expressing his appreciation for the unwavering support from all stakeholders. He reiterated the Council’s dedication to maintaining peace, order, and public safety throughout the year. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of aligning the Council’s goals with the “Bagong Pilipinas” campaign, which he sees as a concrete roadmap for national transformation.

The second RPOC Council Meeting is set to be hosted by the NCRPO in the second quarter of 2024.