Labangon’s 45-day discipline campaign gets huge support

CEBU, Philippines — Aiming to address community concerns on minors' conduct, public drinking, waste management, and excessive noise, Cebu City Councilor Pablo Labra II vowed to support the 45-day discipline campaign for peace and order in Barangay Labangon.

The peace and order drive dubbed as “Caliber 45: 45 Days of 4Ds” or the strict implementation of "Disiplina sa Minors, Disiplina sa Side Street Drinking, Disiplina sa Basura, ug Disiplina sa Karaoke or Loud Noise” was formally launched last Friday evening by Labangon Barangay Captain Derrick Yap.

As the City Council’s head on the Committee on Peace and Order, Labra affirmed his support for the barangay-initiated policy, saying peace and order must begin in the barangay and that a community free from crime will result in an economic boost.

“Ang malambuon, hapsay, ug malinawon na barangay (kay) usa ka barangay nga nindot pagabuhatan og negosyo. Walay negosyante mobuhat og negosyo sa usa ka lugar nga daghan og krimen, dagha’g korapsyon, dagha’g ilegal na droga, ug daghang mga badlongon nga mga lumulupyo,” he said.

Labra also plans to institutionalize and replicate the 4Ds among the 79 other barangays in Cebu City, citing that the campaign also integrates the city government’s community-based anti-criminality program called Oplan Pakigsandurot.

He also promised that rewards await the local residents, based on the results of the enforcement of the anti-crime programs in their respective barangays.

Cebu City Police Office deputy director for operations Police Lieutenant Colonel Maria Theresa Macatangay also asserted the support of the city’s police force with Labangon’s ordinance, emphasizing its effect in reducing violations of the existing laws which, for her, were seemingly overlooked by the community.

“Ang paghatag og atensyon ani sa pag-implement makatabang og dako sa pagkunhod sa mga kriminalidad nga nahitabo ngari sa atong lungsod. With the help of our barangay, matabangan ta og toltol katong mga suot-suot na bahin sa barangay nga atoang mabadlong,” she said.

Yap said that their 4Ds campaign stemmed from his observations and roving across their barangay, where he saw first-hand the prevalent violations of existing laws.

“We need to also do our share in the barangay level kay dili man pud pwede isalig nato ang tanan sa siyudad,” he said.

He added that the 45 days implementation will be enough to impose discipline among the over 25,000 residents in their barangay, particularly the minors.

Meanwhile, the LGBTQ+ sector is formally joining the Oplan Pakigsandurot, the grassroots peace and order initiative championed by the local government.

Labra emphasized the importance of unity across all communities, reaffirming the city’s commitment to collective action in maintaining peace.

“Ang tumong man gud sa programa nga maghiusa ang tanang sektor sa pagtabang nga mamintinar ang peace and order sa atong dakbayan,” Labra said, pointing to the LGBTQ+ community’s vital role in sustaining collaboration at the barangay level.

Originally launched in 2001 under then mayor and now Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña, Oplan Pakigsandurot fosters coordination between city officials, police, barangays, and civil society organizations to build safer, more connected neighborhoods.

Barangay Luz has fully launched the campaign, while Mabolo, Apas, and Guadalupe are preparing for implementation.

In its orientation at Barangay Mabolo Hall, Labra, joined by Barangay Captain Daniel Francis Arguedo and key community stakeholders affirmed the barangay’s readiness to take part.

“With strong leadership and community partnership, we’re on track to roll out the program to all 80 barangays in the next two to three months,” Labra said. City Councilor Francis Esparis is also helping coordinate the expansion.

Preparations are also underway in Labangon, Tisa, Hipodromo, and Kamputhaw, with more barangays lined up under Police Station 10.

“Atong i-empower ang mga katawhan nga sila manghilabot gayod sa responsibilidad sa pagbantay sa kahapsay ug kalinaw,” Labra added.

For Labra, the message is clear: every sector, including the LGBTQ+ community, deserves a seat at the table when it comes to shaping safer, more inclusive barangays.

Residents who wish to prioritize their barangay for rollout are encouraged to contact his office or reach out via social media. — Caecent No-ot Magsumbol and Sanden Miles Anadia/BRP (FREEMAN)