President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision is for every Filipino to walk the streets day or night confidently. And this is exactly what the Philippine National Police’s (PNP’s) Revitalized Pulis sa Barangay (RPSB) is about.
A police force, not just reactive but proactive, working hand-in-hand with communities to prevent crimes before they happen. With its rigorous training program and commitment to serving the people, the RPSB program will change people’s perceptions about the police.
Nationwide Expansion
Moving aligned with President Marcos’ vision of ensuring safety in every corner of the country, PNP Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil has directed a nationwide program expansion, citing its success in improving security, particularly in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs). The program, which initially deployed small police teams to live and work within
GIDAs primarily in Mindanao and Visayas, will now extend to all 42,029 barangays nationwide.
“The safety of our citizens begins in the barangays. We are committed to ensuring that no community is left unguarded and that every corner of our nation feels the protective arm of the PNP,” said Marbil.
The PNP is strengthening community security by strategically placing officers in all barangays focusing on high-risk areas. “The security of our nation depends on the vigilance of our forces and the cooperation of our people. Together, we will make every barangay a bastion of peace and safety,” the PNP chief said.
Benefits of RPSB
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) believes that the RPSB, which was introduced in 2011, will be useful in building the communities’ trust and bringing the government closer to the people. Having police officers live among them will build rapport with residents and allow immediate responses to local issues. Having first-hand knowledge can help police officers understand their concerns better.
These police officers can also assist beyond their policing duties. From helping register newborns and teaching safe driving; to providing medical aid and leading drug prevention programs in schools, they are deeply involved in the residents’ lives.
The program also focuses on police visibility. Regular police patrols in barangays make them more approachable and accessible. Seeing police officers in their neighborhood makes the residents feel safer. It also makes the residents realize that the police care.
Upon becoming Metro Manila’s police chief in February 2022, Major General Edgar Alan Okubo prioritized police visibility in every barangay. He knew exactly what police presence meant – and what its absence cost. This was not just a policy, but a lesson learned. His years fighting insurgency across the Philippines shaped his strategy.
When he eventually led the PNP’s Directorate for Police Community Relations (DPCR) before becoming the Chief of Directorial Staff, Okubo’s RPSB program proved its worth, not only in reducing crimes and fighting insurgency but also in earning the trust of the community it serves.
As Metro Manila’s police chief, Okubo launched training programs to prepare officers for community immersion, making them key liaisons between the government and the people. “The Revitalized Pulis sa Barangay training program embodies the PNP’s commitment to community-oriented policing. Our dedicated RPSB personnel will be the bridge between our law enforcement and our barangays, working tirelessly to ensure safety and security for all,” said Okubo. “With the RPSB training program, the PNP once again demonstrates its unwavering commitment to enhancing community security and fostering collaboration between law enforcement and local communities. The PNP remains steadfast in its pursuit of a safer and more harmonious society.”
Deployments and achievements in various regions
In Sorsogon, up to 50 police officers for 1PMFC and 2PMFC (Provincial Mobile Force) underwent a 15-day training to become “Pulis sa Barangay” under the RPSB program. Following the training, they were deployed to GIDAs and urban barangays in the province to maintain peace, address community issues, and strengthen trust between the government and the citizens. The community immersion program included activities like school lectures on “Buhay ay Ingatan, Droga ay Ayawan” (BIDA) program. The opening took place on June 29, 2024, at Camp Salvador Escudero Sr.
On Nov. 30, 2023, Sorsogon Police Regional Office (PRO) also successfully validated officers under the RPSB proving that Sorsogon is relentless in pursuing the program. These accomplishments not only strengthened Sorsogon PPO’s dedication to community-oriented policing but also established a standard for other law enforcement agencies in creating safer, more resilient neighborhoods.
In Iloilo City, the PNP PRO 6, 319 officers trained through a rigorous 12-day training under the RPSB program in April 2024, after which they were deployed to the barangays of selected areas in the region.
“They will be staying in barangays so directly they can help with the concerns of the community and directly gather information in terms of peace and order and security,” PRO 6 spokesperson Lt. Col. Arnel Solis said in an interview.
Solis highlighted their role in GIDAs, insurgency-cleared zones, and urban settings requiring their presence. “Our police are on the ground, staying in barangay and directly engaging with the community. Any concerns like crimes can be reported directly to them for their immediate action. Their presence is already a deterrent against criminalities.”
In June 2024, another 299 police officers were deployed after their training and were sent to 17 different barangays in Western Visayas. Aklan and Antique each received one officer, while Iloilo City and Negros Occidental got two each. Capiz received three, and Iloilo province and Bacolod City each got four deployed officers.
“They are required to conduct environmental scanning and interview families so they will know the concerns of the barangay and not just focus on peace and order. It will continue for six months,” Police Regional Office 6 (PRO 6) Regional Director Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky said in an interview. “We have created an oversight committee to assess the performance of the 299 cops having an immersion in villages. Weekly, they will visit RPSB teams to determine if they are exercising their mandates. They have a checklist of what to do during their six-month immersion period.”
Meanwhile, in Cebu City, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the PNP re-launched the RPSB-BIDA program on September 14, 2024, at the Hoops Dome, Lapu Lapu City. PNP Chief Gen. Marbil led the event.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Ahong Chan gives his full support for the program showing the commitment of the Cebuanos in eradicating illegal drugs on the island. “We will not stop until every barangay is drug-cleared,” stated Chan in his address. Additionally, the mayor mentioned that this program would boost the morale of the barangay tanod (guards) as police officers will now be present in every barangay.
Measuring RPSB’s success
The PNP is dedicated to fostering stronger community connections through the RPSB program. From July 2022 to May 2024, a team of 5,119 personnel has been assigned across 1,146 barangays in Regions IV-A, V, VI, VIII, X, XI, XIII, and the NCR. Since its inception, the program has successfully partnered with various national government agencies, rolling out projects in infrastructure, social services, and livelihood assistance.
Overall, the RPSB program of the PNP achieved new levels of success. Not only did it enhance trust and collaboration between the police and the community, but also empowered the residents to take part in safeguarding their safety. These are key accomplishments President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is highlighting as he moves towards his vision of a “Bagong Pilipinas”. (PNA)
