President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s directive to be strict with loiterers or “tambays” has gained the support of local government units (LGUs), especially the barangays, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
“We have received feedback from some LGUs and they welcome this recent directive from the President, which they say, is actually a big boost to their efforts to keep their communities crime-free,” says DILG OIC-Secretary Eduardo M. Ano.
Ano says LGUs already have existing ordinances to prevent crime, which include addressing the predicament on street loiterers that only requires strict implementation and political will to make them work.
“It’s just a matter of implementation. Nandiyan na po ang mga kautusan para ating ipatupad. As we envision safer streets for our communities, we have to activate these ordinances and make them work for our people,” he tells LGUs.
“And with no less than the President backing you up in these efforts, mas lalo kayong dapat maging masigasig na panatilihing ligtas ang inyong nasasakupan,” he adds.
According to the DILG Chief, there are already existing local ordinances against drinking in public places, going out half-naked, curfew on minors, among others.
“This is not really something new. The bottomline of these ordinances which complement the President’s order is public safety,” he says.
President Duterte recently directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to be strict in dealing with street loiterers o “tambays”, especially the ones that roam the streets in the wee hours of the night, to keep communities safe from criminals.
DILG Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Jonathan E. Malaya says being strict with “tambays” is just one of several measures being carried out by local government authorities in fulfilling their duty of protecting the general welfare of the public.
“Let us give our LGUs a chance to exercise their mandate of protecting their constituency and ensuring the safety of their communities. After all, these measures are for the greater good of the community,” he says.
“The President is simply concerned with the welfare of all Filipinos especially law-abiding citizens who need to go to work or return home late at night. Thus, the President’s remarks is more in the nature of crime prevention than anything else. Let us not read too much into it as the critics are wont to do,” he adds.
Big help
Newly-elected punong barangay Jesse James Ting of the newly created Barangay Maharlika in San Pedro, Laguna is pleased with the President’s directive on “tambays”.
“Bilang first termer na punong barangay, malaking tulong po ang sinabi ng Presidente sa pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan sa barangay namin. Kung minsan po ‘yung mga tambay lalo na ‘yung mga naglalasing sa labas ng kalye kapag gabi, sila ang nagiging dahilan ng simula ng away at gulo,” he says.
“Malaking tulong din po ito sa pagsugpo ng iligal na droga, pagpapatupad ng curfew sa kabataan at pagbabawal sa inuman sa kalsada sa alanganing oras ng gabi,” he adds.
Ting is one of the barangay captains in Calabarzon who took his oath before the President last week in Sta. Rosa City. “Very happy po lahat ng kapitan doon noong sinabi iyon ni Presidente. Full support kami sa lahat ng programa ni Presidente,” he says.
