The Municipality of Bontoc is planning to reactivate its women’s brigade, a group of concerned citizens focused on maintaining peace, order, and discipline, particularly among the youth, after six years of its discontinuity,
William A. Aspilan, former Sanguniang Bayan member said, the Women’s Brigade are the elders who are composed of concerned citizens involved in Crime Prevention in Bontoc, Mountain Province. They are the ones who watch out for peace and order, to provide counselling, and to ensure the safety of individuals, especially the younger ones who got drunk.
The Women’s Brigade is an important implementer in the province when it comes to disciplining the people on curfew hours and responsible drinking for peace and order in the community.
“Women’s Brigade is a voluntary program and its benefits are for the good of the younger generations, which is the main purpose of the program considering they are the future,” said Aspilan.
The Women’s Brigade’s visibility has diminished in recent years due to lack of funds.. The most active Women’s Brigade until now is the “Samoki Group’’ and continues to operate as part of the barangay police or tanods. Instead of honoraria, their service is paid with equipment support they could use for patrolling.
Authorities see the need for the Brigade’s return as they can be more persuasive in maintaining order and peace among community members. Jimmy Cherwaken, Barangay Captain of Caluttit said, “Mas patien da ti natataengan keysa dagiti pulis, No ta natataengan ti makakita kanyada agbain dagitoy uubbing, denngen da ti balakad da sa da agawid. Ta ada paylang daytoy Culture tayo a nga iresrespeto tayo ti natataengan.’’ (They follow the elders more than those policemen, If the elders see them these kids are ashamed, they listen to their advice and go home, because we still have this culture of respecting the elderly.)
Another resident in Bontoc, Wilbert S. Agpawan sees the importance of having the brigade due to limitations of law enforcement, “The local police cannot conduct patrols in all areas of the community, especially in establishments like music video (kara-oke) and bars which are hidden,” he said.
Barangays, like Caluttit, eagerly await the municipality’s approval to reactivate the Women’s Brigade. The program will be open to any interested residents who want to contribute to a safer and more disciplined community for the youth.**Inggoy, Michelle P., BSU DevCom student
