Strengthening community safety: awareness of barangay public safety officers on their duties and responsibilities

Author: 
Grace A. Empinado, Dr. Paulino V. Pioquinto, Gilbert Alolor, Patricio Degay, Desseyme Bael and Anna Marie Alaban

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the awareness and performance of Barangay Public Safety Officers (BPSOs) in Lapu Lapu City in various barangay of focusing on their duties, responsibilities, and adherence to regulatory standards outlined in Memorandum Circular No. 2003-42. The data, drawn from a structured questionnaire administered to respondents, reveals disparities in the distribution of tanods and highlights challenges in data collection due to the dynamic schedules of BPSOs. While BPSOs demonstrate commendable awareness in certain duties, including crime prevention and coordination with local authorities, there are identified areas for improvement, such as preserving accident scenes, conducting random searches, and disseminating information about regulatory frameworks. The study recommends targeted training programs, flexible data collection strategies, and collaborative initiatives to enhance public safety efforts within barangays. Continuous monitoring, community engagement, and periodic surveys are proposed to foster a responsive public safety framework, recognizing the importance of effective communication and the need for ongoing evaluation. This abstract encapsulates the key findings and recommendations, contributing to the advancement of BPSOs' effectiveness in ensuring the safety and security of barangay communities.

Paper No: 
5015