Government eyes homeland security department

The government is studying the possibility of setting up a homeland security department that will address the problem of terrorism and ensure the security of vital civil and military installations against terrorist attacks.

A source at the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) told The STAR that a special panel has been formed to study the creation of the new department.

"The government is conducting a study to adopt the US homeland security measures," said the official who asked not to be named.

The official said the panel is particularly studying the structure and functions of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which US President George W. Bush endorsed to Congress after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington that left at least 3,500 people dead.

The US Congress created the DHS through Department of Homeland Security Act of 2002 and Bush appointed former Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge as homeland security director to integrate the security functions of some 22 US federal agencies.

The DHS is seeking congressional appropriation of some $3.5 billion "to confront threats to the United States and the American people."

The DILG official did not specify if the creation of the US DHS’ local counterpart was among the legislative priorities of the Arroyo administration.

But the official noted that some functions of the US DHS are already being addressed by the National Peace and Order Council which coordinates security measures in the country without a line agency budget.