TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Citing peace and order and transportation challenges faced by barangay officials, Second District Board Member Julius B. Amla said the "ombak" vehicles worth ₱1.8 million turned over to Rizal barangays will help improve public safety and speed up the delivery of government services.
The three-wheeled service vehicles were formally turned over to various Barangay Local Government Units (BLGUs) in Rizal during a ceremony held at the Legislative Building in Bulanao, Tabuk City, on Tuesday, August 4.
The turnover was attended by members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Vice Governor Dave Odiem, Provincial Legal Officer John Paul Baguiwan, who represented Governor James S. Edduba, and officials from the beneficiary barangays.
Transportation, peace and order concerns
Amla said the initiative stemmed from repeated concerns raised by barangay officials regarding the lack of transportation for official duties and the need to strengthen peace and order in their communities.
He said he met with barangay officials, together with Board Member Camilo Lammawin Jr., to discuss practical solutions, leading to the proposal to provide ombak vehicles.
According to Amla, the vehicles will enable barangay officials and volunteer tanods to conduct patrols more efficiently, respond more quickly to emergencies, and travel to government offices without difficulty.
"Last month, adu dagitoy agsalsaludsod kanyak maipanggep iti transportation ken peace and order iti Rizal. Daytoy nga ombak ket isu ti insuggest dagiti barangay officials tapno makatulong iti amin. Alangan met nga mapan dagiti tanod aground iti rabii nga magmagna laeng. Kasapulan da daytoy tapno maprotektaran ti komunidad ken mapapartak ti panagserbi dagiti barangay officials," Amla said.
Livestock theft prompted the initiative
Amla said reports of livestock theft in several barangays further highlighted the need to equip barangay responders with reliable transportation.
He recalled receiving reports of stolen cattle and carabaos, stressing that barangay tanods cannot effectively protect their communities if they have to patrol on foot.
"Nu maipanggep ti peace and order, nagado dagiti istorya manipud Rizal. Adda dagiti baka ken nuwang a natakaw. Adda pay baka nga lupo na laeng ti naibati, ken adda met nuwang nga inlugan da iti van. Kasapulan ti mas napartak a panagresponde," he said.
Inspired by Lammawin's peace and order program
Amla said the project was also inspired by a peace and order strategy implemented by Board Member Camilo Lammawin Jr. during his term as mayor of Tabuk City.
He recalled that instead of relying solely on law enforcement, Lammawin strengthened community security by supporting volunteer barangay tanods and their families, including providing educational assistance to their children.
Drawing from that experience, Amla said he looked for a practical way to strengthen barangay security in Rizal by improving the mobility of local responders.
"Panpanunutek metlang no anya ti makatulong iti Rizal. Kasapulan dagiti tanod daytoy nga ombak. Saan a mabalin nga aground patrol da iti rabii a magmagna laeng. Daytoy ket makatulong kadakuada iti panagserbi ken panagresponde kadagiti insidente," he added.
Thanks to provincial leaders
Amla thanked Governor James S. Edduba, Vice Governor Dave Odiem, Board Member Chester Alunday, and his fellow members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for supporting and approving the project.
"Agyamanak ken Apo Board Member Chester Alunday nga inpainayon na ti budget under diay donation iti Governor's Office. Agyaman tayo met ken Apo Governor James Edduba ta inaprubaran na daytoy, ken ni Vice Governor Dave Odiem, ken amin nga members ti Sangguniang Panlalawigan," he said.
He also encouraged barangay officials to continue proposing projects that will benefit their communities, assuring them that the provincial board remains committed to supporting initiatives that improve public service, mobility, and community safety.
"Adda kami latta a mangsuporta iti anya man a pagsayaatan nga aramiden yo. No adda kayat yo nga proyekto para iti komunidad, saan kayo nga mabain nga mangidanon kanyami," Amla said.
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