UMINGAN, Pangasinan – Known as frontliners and immediate pacifiers when there is trouble in the community, Civilian Volunteers Organization (CVO) or commonly known ‘tanods’ had a break from their duties and enjoyed Christmas for the meantime as solons entertained them and gave them presents in this town’s gymnasium last December 18 .
Some 2,000 tanods of Umingan enjoyed good music in the said event. They were entertained by ‘The Voice Kids’ finalist Giedie Laroco as she performed a song with former Cong. Mark Cojuangco. The title of the song was ‘Bakit ngayon ka lang’ which was originally performed by Ogie Alcasid.
As their program ends, the CVO received presents from gubernatorial aspirant in the province Cojuangco and partner Calasiao Mayor Mark Roy Macanlalay. The presents include food packs composed of canned goods and rice. According to the solons, the tanods should be given importance as they were part of the peacekeeping officers of the country.
While everyone was having fun, one of the tanods was unable to hide sentiments within the organization and explained their current status. Although satisfied by the presents he received, 23-year-old William Delos Santos, tanod of Poblacion told that they lack in uniforms to impose their authority as peace keepers. Also, they lack in ‘batuta’, a counterpart for guns, which they use to implement peace and order. Delos Santos did not know who to ask for the equipment that they need.
In 2009, former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo enacted Executive Order 773 which clause formally recognizes CVOs as members of the peace and order council. According to the law, tanods should be supervised and managed by regional, provincial, municipal, and city directors of the Philippine National Police.
