(The PNP, in cooperation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, launches the Kaligtasan at Kalikasan or Kaligkasan volunteer program in Tarlac. Photo courtesy of PNP Tarlac)
TARLAC CITY – A program that aims to facilitate and initiate environmental protection projects was launched in this capital city by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in cooperation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recently.
“Kaligtasan at Kalikasan (Kaligkasan)” is a voluntary program for the care of the environment.
“This program aims to facilitate and initiate environmental protection projects such as tree planting, clean-up drives, information drive on responsible use of natural resources and how to protect them,” Police acting provincial director Col. David Nicolas Poklay, “Kaligkasan volunteers will be under the tourist police wherein they will be assisting and ensuring safety and security of the local and foreign tourists,” he said.
They will also be deputized by the local government so that they can arrest or issue citation tickets violating city or municipal ordinances such as smoking, littering and other environmental laws.
“With this program, volunteers can serve as eco warriors and force multipliers to complement the tourist police for community order and protection,” Poklay added.
Volunteers’ recruitment will be handled by the barangay through its environment committee.
