MIDSAYAP, North Cotabato – The Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG), through its Interior Affairs Services (IAS) – Public Safety Division, successfully conducted the “Reinforcing the Roles of Barangay Tanods through Skills Enhancement Training for Selected Pilot Barangays from the Special Geographic Areas (SGA)” on July 29–30, 2026.
The two-day capability-building initiative brought together Chief Tanods and Barangay Kagawads on the Peace and Order Committee (POC) from selected pilot barangays in the Special Geographic Areas (SGA) to strengthen their competencies in community policing, public safety, and peacekeeping—further advancing the Bangsamoro Government’s vision of building safer, more resilient, and peaceful communities.
Implemented under the Bangsamoro Community Policing (BCOP) Project, the training equips Barangay Tanods with the knowledge, skills, and practical competencies necessary to effectively perform their mandate as frontline peacekeepers and partners in local governance.
Grounded on Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 49, otherwise known as the Bangsamoro Local Governance Code, the initiative reinforces the authority of barangays to maintain peace and public order while promoting respect for human rights, justice, and the protection of lives and properties within their respective communities.
During the first day of the training, LGOO II Zulficar Zamil C. Sero, MILG Bangsamoro Community Policing (BCOP) Regional Focal Person, presented the overview of the BCOP Project and discussed the evolving role of Barangay Tanods as agents of peace and development.
Sero emphasized, “Your legal mandate, qualifications, appointment process, and operational responsibilities under the Bangsamoro Community Policing framework and DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2024-086, underscoring your vital contribution to crime prevention, community patrols, and public safety while observing the limits of their authority.”
To further enhance inclusive and rights-based peacekeeping, participants underwent a comprehensive session on Gender-Sensitive, Child-Friendly, and Culturally Responsive Barangay Tanods, facilitated by Mohammad Nur-Warith G. Basag, Local Government Operations Officer II of the MILG Cotabato City Field Office. The lecture highlighted the proper handling of Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) cases, child protection protocols, gender responsiveness, and culturally appropriate approaches in dealing with Indigenous Peoples and diverse cultural communities across the Bangsamoro.
Recognizing the critical role of Barangay Tanods during emergencies, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-BARMM equipped participants with essential knowledge on fire prevention, emergency response, and disaster preparedness, enabling them to serve as effective first responders during fire-related incidents and other emergencies.
On the second day, representatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Police Regional Office-BAR discussed the operational responsibilities of Barangay Tanods in maintaining peace and order through crime prevention, patrol operations, incident reporting, and strengthened coordination with law enforcement agencies.
Meanwhile, representatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-BARMM emphasized the indispensable role of Barangay Tanods in the Barangay Drug Clearing Program (BDCP) and community-based anti-illegal drug advocacy. Participants learned how barangay peacekeepers can assist in surveillance, information gathering, public awareness campaigns, and coordination with the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC), PDEA, and the PNP to help sustain drug-resilient communities.
The activity also fostered stronger collaboration among MILG, PNP PRO BAR, BFP-BARMM, PDEA-BARMM, and local government units, demonstrating a whole-of-government approach to enhancing community policing and strengthening local peace and security mechanisms in the Special Geographic Areas.
Through the Bangsamoro Community Policing Project, the MILG continues to empower Barangay Tanods as trusted partners in safeguarding communities, preventing crimes, responding to emergencies, and promoting peaceful coexistence at the grassroots level.
The initiative firmly aligns with the administrative agenda, “Para sa Mas Matatag na Gobyerno, Pamayanan, at Seguridad,” and supports the implementation of the Enhanced 12-Point Priority Agenda of the Bangsamoro Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua, with the full support of MILG Minister Jordan S. Bayam, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to building capable, responsive, and people-centered local governance institutions that foster lasting peace, security, and development across the Bangsamoro.
[MILG – Information and Communication Division (ICD) with details from IAS-PSD]
