City of Koronadal, South Cotabato, Philippines | September 23, 2025 —The Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) of South Cotabato has approved the Peace and Order and Public Safety (POPS) Plan for 2026–2028, which will now be submitted for endorsement to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for adoption. Key outcomes of the plan include strengthened law enforcement coordination, enhanced crime prevention programs, and improved community engagement strategies.
The three-year POPS Plan proposes a total budget of ₱1.7 billion to enhance South Cotabato’s peace, order, and public safety initiatives in the next three years.
Ariel Buenvidez of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) presented the proposal during the council’s 3rd quarter meeting.
“This three-year plan is a comprehensive guide to sustain peace and order in the province while ensuring that our communities remain safe and resilient,” Buenvidez said.
For peace and order programs, the plan allocates ₱1.3 billion to support police and military operations, PTF-ELCAC activities, the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), and strengthened anti-illegal drug campaigns.
The plan also earmarks ₱46.6 million for public safety programs, including BFP operations, provincial jail management, support for prosecution and courts, BJMP facilities in Polomolok and Koronadal, and PEMO initiatives.
“The approval of the augmentation budget reflects our commitment to rehabilitative facilities like Bahay Pag-asa, which play a crucial role in reforming children in conflict with the law,” said DILG Provincial Director Hayd-Ali Suwaib, PPOC head secretariat who presided over the meeting.
Updates on peace and order conditions across the province were also reported. According to the Philippine National Police (PNP) South Cotabato, three LGUs—Sto. Niño, Tampakan, and Norala have been officially declared insurgency-free following the passage of respective municipal resolutions. The City of Koronadal has likewise passed a similar resolution.
On the other hand, two LGUs amended their local ordinances to mandate the installation of higher-specification CCTVs, strengthening the implementation of Provincial Ordinance No. 22-16.
The South Cotabato Rehabilitation and Detention Center reported updates on a recent escape incident involving a Person Deprived of Liberty (PDL).
The council, likewise, approved today the ₱1.5 million augmentation for PPOC operations and the completion, rehabilitation and operation of Bahay Pag-asa.
