Bataoil supports redistricting plan
SECOND District Rep. Leopoldo N. Bataoil is the first among the province’s six congressional representatives to publicly express support for the redistricting plan forwarded by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
“I have no objection to that proposal,” Bataoil said during the KBP forum on July 25, 2013.
Bataoil intimated that his fellow representatives are also open to the plan and will await the recommendations in the study being undertaken by the provincial government.
“I think the redistricting would be advantageous as adding more districts would mean additional budget meaning more projects and programs will be funded,” he said.
The result of the study by an ad hoc committee created for the task is due in six months.
PROJECTS
In the meantime, Bataoil said the he will continue with the programs he has started in accordance with the “blueprint of development” of the provincial government.
These projects include infrastructure such as the reconstruction of the bridge that connects the 2nd District to the 3rd District through San Carlos City and Aguilar town in coordination with 3rd District Rep. Baby Arenas.
Bataoil is also sponsoring the Lingayen bay walk/alternate coastal road project.
He announced that he also plans to build more farm-to-market roads, bridges, and schools; provide more scholarships; support sports and youth development further; more programs for environment preservation and conservation; and give more medical assistance to the indigents.
POLICE
He said he will sponsor two bills in the 16th Congress, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reorganization plan and the recognition of ‘baybayin’ as the Philippines’ katutubong panulat.
The first seeks to modify the current PNP setup particularly the number of directorates and deputies, turning over administrative duties to civilian employees, and reinforcing the internal affairs office.
His second bill seeks to preserve recognize the ‘baybayin’ (alibata) as the national form of writing, citing that the ‘Abakada’, the current and mainstream form, is of foreign origin.
Meanwhile Bataoil, a retired police director, also expressed woe over the recent major controversies involving the police force.
He acknowledged that the police image is easily tarnished by negative news but stressed that majority in the force are fully committed to service.
He said that performance is the best antidote erase the negative image as he called for impartial and thorough investigation of any controversy involving PNP members, particularly the most recent alleged rub-out of two Ozamis gang members perpetrated by their police escorts.
In the same vein, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Undersecretary Arturo Cacdac Jr. said in a statement that there are still more good police officers than bad ones.
“I believe that 98 percent of PNP officers and personnel are dedicated and professional law enforcers,” said Cacdac, who had a long and distinguished career as a decorated police officer and previously held the PNP’s second highest post as Deputy Chief for Administration.– Johanne R. Macob and Eva Visperas
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