I. Crimes and Disorder
Baliwag, Bulacan is generally, a very peaceful Municipality. Peace reigns and crimes are intermittent if not isolated. The citizens, in general, are peace-loving people and have high respect for the law, peace and order. However, despite the great efforts of the municipality to avert crimes, the harmonious living condition in Baliwag is once in a while disrupted by crimes perpetrated by some lawless elements. In 2016, Baliwag, Bulacan registered 24 incidents of murder, 4 incidents of homicide, 17 incidents of physical injuries, 22 incidents of rape, 22 incidents of robbery, 39 incidents of theft and 29 incidents of carnapping. In recent times, the crime of carnapping is alarmingly on the upsurge.
Addiction to unlawful and prohibited drugs is also a perennial problem in the Municipality. Methamphetamine and Marijuana were sold like hotcakes in the streets. In 2016, a total of 335.58 grams of methamphetamine and 17.04 grams of marijuana were seized by the Philippine National Police and 166 drug addict suspects were arrested in 97 drug-related operations.
A. Effects and Implications
In general, when crimes are not addressed and criminals are not punished, the offenses may be repeated, which may eventually endanger the harmonious living in Baliwag, Bulacan.
B. Causes
In Baliwag, Bulacan, just like in many parts of the country, crimes and other offenses have no singular cause. Causes vary from one particular offense to another. Murder, for instance, may be committed for gain, revenge, elimination, jealousy and lust for killing. The offense of rape may root from power play, peer pressure, alcohol and drug intoxication to misplaced sense of masculinity. In general, crimes may spring from the acute sense of deprivation among citizens.
C. Responses and Capacities of the Baliwag and other stakeholders.
The Municipality of Baliwag, Bulacan addresses the issue directly and indirectly. Hitting the issue head-on may mean drafting, filing and prosecuting cases against the accused; passing and implementing Municipal Ordinance establishing Community Police Action (COMPACs); issuance of orders establishing roving beat patrol and mobile checkpoints; procurement and installation of CCTV cameras.
Hitting the issue indirectly may mean a program for awareness campaign which includes conduct of seminars, lectures, fora and distribution of leaflets about crimes, corruption, violence against women and children. It may also mean the conduct of lectures, training and deployment of Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs) and the renovation of detention cells especially the center for women and juvenile delinquents.
The upsurge of the crime of carnapping in the Municipality of Baliwag shows the capability of the Municipality to prevent and control crimes and ensure the safety and security of the people had been tarnished. Hence various police operations and innovations had been undertaken by the PNP Baliwag to preempt, minimized and neutralized these criminal elements who undertook these nefarious activities. However, these criminals have become more fluid, divergent and presently more technologically advanced. This made it difficult for the law enforcers to completely stamp out criminality.
II. Road and Vehicle Safety
Being one of the old Spanish-era towns in Bulacan, Baliwag have narrow streets which are not suitable to large modern vehicles. As the municipality is on the verge of becoming a city, there is an upsurge of vehicles plying to and fro the municipality. The narrow roads become inadequate to meet the transport needs of commuters. Large vehicles plying and parking in the streets of the town caused blockage and clogging of traffic flow and eventually result to road accidents. Recklessness is still high in Baliwag, Bulacan.
In 2016, the PNP Baliwag recorded 12 incidents of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide; 77 incidents of reckless imprudence resulting to physical injuries; and 337 incidents of reckless imprudence resulting to damage to property.
A. Effects and implications
The imprudence may be repeated, being left unpunished. Society may be imperiled.
B. Causes
The usual cause of reckless imprudence, in general, is lack of foresight and lack of skill on the part of the offender.
C. Responses and capacities of Baliwag and other stakeholders
One of the reasons why road accidents happen is that drivers, even without qualifications, are granted drivers' licenses. Thus, one of the effective responses to address the issue is through strict implementation of traffic rules and requiring the drivers higher qualifications before licenses are issued.
The local government unit of Baliwag, Bulacan also spearheads the formulation, approval and implementation of an inter-agency coordination procedures on road traffic accidents management to avert unnecessary deaths due to road traffic accidents. For long-term solution, Baliwag, Bulacan included in its investment plans, the construction of more roads to avert heavy traffic situation especially along Benigno Aquino, Sr. St.
The conduct of seminars, lectures, fora and distribution of leaflets to create public awareness is also effective in minimizing road traffic accidents. Prompt drafting and filing of cases against the traffic rules violators served as effective deterrence.
III. Emergency, Crisis Management and Fire Safety
In Baliwag, Bulacan, the primordial emergency challenges were mostly typhoon, heavy rains, flooding, landslide, epidemics and other fortuitous events. In 2016, five destructive fires broke out in some barangays but these were immediately abated. While on October 19-20, 2016, super typhoon Lawin lashed the northern Philippines, Bulacan, including Baliwag is under signal number 1.
A. Trends in emergencies experienced in the locality
Like many towns in the Philippines, Baliwag, Bulacan also experienced epidemics such as dengue, HIV, tuberculosis, among others. On fire incidents, in 2016, five destructive fires broke out in some barangays but these were immediately abated.
B. Effects and implications
Diseases such as dengue, HIV, tuberculosis, when uncontrolled may be disrupt harmonious living in Baliwag, Bulacan. Fire incidents must be eradicated to as to save the Municipality from unnecessary loss of lives and property.
C. Causes
Typhoon, heavy rains, flooding and other fortuitous events are acts of nature. However, with the present technology, the destructive effects of acts of nature can be minimized, if not totally avoided. Diseases such as dengue, HIV, tuberculosis, etc. may be caused by dirty environmental exposures, unhealthy habits and practices. Incidents of fire, on the other hand, may be caused by criminals, like arson, or recklessness.
D. Responses and capacities of Baliwag and other stakeholders
In order ward off the dangers of fire, Baliwag, Bulacan and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) conducts fire safety inspection, fire awareness campaigns and fire drills. BFP must also upgrade its fire fighting capabilities, train fire auxiliaries, fire volunteers and other BFP multipliers. Maintenance of fire trucks and formulation, approval and implementation of an inter-agency coordination procedures on fire response management are also sine qua non.
To deter the crime of arson in Baliwag, Bulacan, BFP must calibrate the fire investigation and intelligence training of its investigators. Together with the Prosecutor's Office, BFP must promptly draft and file cases against persons accused of arson.
To reduce the negative impact of fortuitous events such as typhoon, heavy rains, landslides and flooding, Baliwag, Bulacan, through its Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), must formulate, approve and implement a comprehensive municipal risk reduction plan which may contain an inter-agency coordination procedures on disaster management. MDRRMO must also conduct disaster awareness programs, such as but not limited to the conduct of seminars, lectures, fora and distribution of leaflets to better prepare the citizens of any upcoming disaster.
On the part of the local government unit of Baliwag, Bulacan, it must proactively spearhead the repairs and maintenance of roads and flood control system, power supply and other infrastructure assets of the Municipality to better prepare for any fortuitous events. The Municipal Health Unit must initiate programs and projects to address health issues of the Municipality in case of disaster.
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