Female cops volunteer as tutors for students

CEBU, Philippines —  The Women's and Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD) of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) launched the “Pulis mo, tutor mo sa module mo” program, targeting the less fortunate children as beneficiaries.

Police Lt. Col. Galil Aiza Nacario, chief of the WCPD, said the program is in line with the National Children’s Month this November.

The program is participated by 11 police stations under the CCPO, particularly their WCPD units.

"Ang kaning advocacy namo, nag-select mi og less fortunate children na kinahanglan kaayo sila nga tabangan in a way nga tutoran sila ilabi na nga because of the pandemic nga nausab atong mode of education and teaching nga sa modular nila nga ubang parents, maglisod sila og tudlo sa nga bata nila," Nacario told reporters.

Nacario further said that in selecting for the beneficiaries, one of the considerations is the non-availability of the parents to guide them.

The female personnel in the 11 police stations will select their students and will personally visit them in their house for the tutorial sessions.

"Para ang mga bata, di na sila mogawas sa ilang nga balay kay ang mga bata nag-observe ta sa atong health protocols aa COVID-19...and then gina-exercise gyud ang health protocols, wala juy ingon nga may direct contact sa bata," said Nacario.

Nacario added they will be also providing school supplies to the children. The tutoring sessions will not just for the month of November but until the school year ends, she said.

The schedule will depend on the availability the WCPD personnel.

Nacario mentioned Police Station 4, which has chosen the children of persons under police custody (PUPCs) as their beneficiaries.

“Example sa Police Station 4, ang beneficiary sa atong Women's didto kay ang bata, iyang mother, currently detained for illegal drugs. And then kaning mga bataa napiliaan gyud ni kay if ever ma-push through ang case ug ma-detain jud ang mama sa city jail,  kining mga bata wala na gyuy makagiya nila og tarong," Nacario said.

Meanwhile, Police Col. Josefino Ligan, chief of CCPO, said the program is part of the campaign to strengthen the police’s relationship with the community.

“We already have this kind of program with the Department of Education but we are strengthening this, especially now that classes are held online,” said Ligan. — JMD (FREEMAN)