Res Gestae
Focused
It's barely four months before we say Goodbye 2006... Welcome 2007". The ber" season has just begun and Christmas is just few sleeps away. For us in Western Visayas, particularly the Guimarasnons, Christmas has already started last month. I don't mean that the sinking of MT Solar I is heaven's sent. Obviously, it was a tragedy! The worst of its kind. But, at times and maybe this time, it is in the worst of circumstances that true spirit of Christmas is felt. The spirits of sharing (not merely gift-giving), compassion (not merely sympathy) and cooperation (not merely support) are manifest amidst the catastrophic moment in the history of Guimaras in particular and of the whole nation in general.
Other than being an opportunity for the whole nation to unite, the sinking of MT Solar I also becomes part of the reception rites" to welcome PCSupt Geary L Barias not just as the new Regional Director of Police Regional Office but also as Chairman of Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC).
The chairmanship of PCSupt Barias with the RDCC is merely incidental to his being the PRO 6 Regional Director. This would suffice for me to conclude that his functions as RDCC chair is merely secondary". (Though in a strict sense, I don't believe on the degree of priority when it refers to one's responsibilities, be it incidental or otherwise.)
I presumed that when PCSupt Barias assumed office last August 2 at Camp Delgado, Iloilo City, first in his list of Things to be done" is the implementation of change both in the administrative and operational level of the police organization in the region. Thus, I presumed that the unwanted incident in Guimaras has probably severed the calendar of his programs and projects.
Prior to the sinking of MT Solar I, we have seen PCSupt Barias so busy in his campaign on the wearing of proper uniform among his men. He personally disseminates the directive down to police stations and precincts, which resulted in the meting of suspension to several police officers for willful violation of such. When the tragic incident struck the region last August 11, the top cop of the region has immediately shifted, now as RDCC Chair, for the assistance of the affected populace. This made me ask where would PCSupt Barias be putting his focus in the next several months. The oil spill operations in Guimaras will last longer than we expect, especially now that it becomes not only of national interest but of other countries and International Groups as well. This makes the incident a great opportunity for anyone to grab the spotlight. Can't this be a break" (as in the showbiz) for the top cop, him being the RDCC Chair?
Today, Project Kahilwayan kag Kalinungan sa Dalan", an anti-criminality program of PCSupt Barias with the support of the Iloilo City Government and other stakeholders will be launched during the Flag Raising Ceremony at Plaza Libertad. Is this not the answer to my previous question? Having a launching of an anti-criminality project amidst the growing concern in Guimaras is a clear indication that PCSupt Barias' calendar of programs and projects as PRO 6 Regional Director has not been severed. He is focused in his primary" responsibility as the Top Cop of the region! And probably, he does not consider Guimaras' 8-11 tragedy a 'break"!
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