. Introduction A. Brief History of Barangay Pineda Barangay Pineda is one of the 30 barangays in Pasig. It is situated in the western part of the city. It is bounded by Barangay Kapitolyo in the North, Brgy. Bagong Ilog in the east, Mandaluyong in the west and Makati in the South. Population as of year 2002 is 16,655. The name Pineda, is believed to be derived from a Spanish official who served for the barrio during old days. It used to be a settlement for families from Malapad-na-Bato, a barrio across the Pasig River. During the 1800s, Ventura Oliveros, Epifania Cruz and Miguel Cruz were barrio lieutenants during the Spanish regime. At that time, Pineda remained insignificant. However, just before the Philippine Revolution, it became a refuge for the Tulisanes, fugitives and rebels from nearby provinces like Bulacan, Cavite and Laguna. It was said that a lot of Andres Bonifacio’s followers are from there. The Cueva de Doña Geronima and the Buwayang Bato from Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere are found in the Pineda. According to old folks of Pineda, the cave used to be the home of a woman hermit named Geronima. The Buwayang Bato was a real buwaya turned into stone by St. Nicholas (patron saint of Guadalupe Viejo) when it attacked a Chinese devotee. During the American regime, inhabitants of Pineda washed the clothes and uniforms of the American soldiers (stationed at Fort McKinley – now Fort Bonifacio) in the Pasig River. Nowadays, Pineda is a progressive barangay due to the factories built there which improved the lives of its inhabitants. B. Basic Facts of Barangay Pineda •
One of the 30 barangays in Pasig
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Situated in the western part of the city North – Brgy. Kapitolyo East – Brgy. Bagong Ilog West – Mandaluyong City South – Makati City
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Population as of year 2007 is 15,013.
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Total Land Area 58 sq. km in land area/15 hectares
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Barangay Classification: Urban Barangay
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Number of Puroks 5
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No. of Households 1501
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No. of Registered Voters 12,050
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No. of Precincts 100
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Total Annual Budget (CY2008): P12096633.00
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Pineda Day:
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Oct. 15
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Patron Saint: St. Therese of Avilla
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Means of Transportation: Jeepneys, tricycles, and motorized bancas
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Schools: Pineda Day Care Center, Pineda Elementary School
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Health Centres: Pineda Health Center
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Sports Facilities Open and covered basketball courts; multi-purpose halls
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Waste Water Facility Waste Water Treatment Plant
C. Statement of Objectives Focusing on the criminal activities in a small barangay like Pineda, the group aims to investigate why crimes such as vandalism, petty theft, fights, drug use and other crimes exist within the community. Also, we would like to know what are the methods used and necesseary means taken by the barangay to minimize and prevent these crimes. The group also aims to recognize if the measures taken by the barangay are effective enough to fully eradicate the said crimes. And to find out if the barangay is woking efficiently in terms of its programs, plans, and policies when it comes to crime fighting.
II. Rationale A. Statement of the hypothesis on the relationship between the Barangay and high crime rates 1. As living conditions worsen and policies and Barangay programs become more lax in
implementation, there is a resulting rise in the prevalence of drug abuse, petty crimes, and gang wars. 2. A major factor in the persistence of crimes are the poor relationships and lack of
cooperation between neighboring Barangays. B. Significance of the Study 1. Help the public gain a better understanding of the Barangay system and relate certain
factors (such as Demographics) that can cause the crime rates present within a community. 2. Perhaps the study could shed light on possible solutions and measures that both the
Barangay and the community can take in order to increase safety and living conditions.
III. Methodology
This research investigation was conducted by visiting the barangay in question and conducting interviews. The primary official source was the barangay captain himself, Hon. Captain Hernani Lacuna. Various residents of the barangay itself were questioned on video. The sampling of the test subjects encompassed gang members in their late teens and 20s and non-gang member residents in their 30s and above.
IV. Data A. Conceptual Framework: Models Used Crime Prevention System (New Zealand) Crime Prevention Action Group (CPAG) For the purpose of developing a national crime prevention strategy, in April 1992, the New Zealand Government established the Crime Prevention Action Group (CPAG). In the initial stages of its work, this organization aimed to examine four major features of the criminal justice system as a basis for the development of their strategic approach, namely: • the dimensions of crime in New Zealand; • the main factors influencing the occurrence of criminal activities; • how offenders are dealt with; and • dealing with the victims of said crimes. In the conceptual framework used by the CPAG, the analyses took account of the impact of crime on the communities as well as the potential for active community participation in crime prevention. Distinctions were made between the groups of both potential and actual offenders as well as those of potential and actual victims. In combination with a consideration of factors which contribute to offending, and those which influence victimisation, CPAG was able to identify potentially useful target areas where crime prevention initiatives were likely to have the greatest potential for success. As per the CPAG, for the purposes of their analysis, the following definition of crime prevention was used: “… all those measures which have the specific intention of minimising the breadth and severity of offending, whether via a reduction in opportunities to commit crime or by influencing potential offenders and the general public.” (Cited in Graham: 1990: p 9) The conceptual framework adopted by CPAG can be described in the following model:
Crime Prevention Strategy Model
This model takes account of the need for examining preconditions to offending and victimisation as well as subsequent treatment of both offenders and victims. It also allows a detailed consideration of the complex interrelationships between the various parties involved in a criminal event. The relationships across the continuum of either offenders or victims can be examined, as well as those that exist between potential victims and offenders, and actual victims and actual offenders. The model gives consideration to preventative measures best applied to particular groups and circumstances. For example, situational crime prevention measures are most suited to potential victims, whereas social-developmental approaches may have longer term success with both potential and actual offenders. B. Description of Barangay Pineda 1. Demographics and Community Based on 0n-site observations and interviews with the locals, Barangay Pineda boasts a very diverse demography. These include: - working class laborers and factory workers - middle-class families - average highest educational attainment as high school graduates 2. Geographics Barangay Pineda is located near the Pasig River and is in the center of numerous commercial and business districts. Due to the high concentration of such districts within proximity, Barangay Pineda is attractive as a place of residence to people from all walks of life because it is convenient to access. There is disparity between the types of residences (from Middle Class homes to Squatter Areas) and there are distinct barriers to separate these classes 3. Political Structure and Systems Bar. Capt.: Hon.Hernani Lacuna SK Chairman: Monica Sta. Ana Bar. Sec.: Mr. Horacio Delos Reyes Bar. Treasurer: Mr. Danilo Sta. Ana Barangay Councillors: Hon. Aida Salandanan Hon. Jovito San Andres Hon. Rodolfo Lipana Hon. Bayani Kilala III Hon. Rafael Dumpit Hon. Ridion Francisco Hon. Alexander Arreola According to the Barangay Captain, the Barangay has taken measures to secure the safety and security of the community. For instance, there are people designated to take night watches. These
watches involve patrolling around the community in order to discourage potential robbers, or gangs hanging around. The Barangay has also imposed a curfew wherein people must not be on the streets past 11 pm. Security is also tight when it comes to the residents holding personal events so as to avoid indivduals, who have no business in the Barangay, entering the premises. 4. Types of persistent crimes When residents were asked what kind of crimes were most common, they answered that crimes which frequently occured were gang fights, both inter-village and intra-village. Common cases were also petty theft and vandalism caused by those who are under the influence of drugs – also one of the problems within the community.
V. Analysis A. Proving Hypothesis •
There is a lack of cohesion in the cooperation of the other agencies of the government with the barangay.
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Measures taken only prove that there is only so much that can be accomplished with such vague and thin jurisdiction and heavy constrains.
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Because of this, there is a persistent prevalence in the rate of crime and delinquency in the area.
B. Issues and Areas of Concern In terms of the openess of the Barangay, the group found that getting information and access to Barangay officials proved difficult. Calls that were made to the Barangay office were eluded and it took time to schedule interviews. This was an indication of how well the Barangay was performing in terms of relating to the public and addressing the concerns of the residents. It was clear that the Barangay wasn’t so efficient, perhaps even apathetic in terms of having an open dialogue with the community. While the officials, the Barangay Captain in particular, reassured us that they have been taking every possible precaution, there are discrepancies between the office’ report and the ones given by the residents. Facts ascertained are as follows. While the Office HAS increased the number of evening patrols, thus reducing the fight gatherings in number, the fights still do take place. Some of the older residents have stated already that the conflicts actually sometimes take place in the homes – where government intervention is unwelcome. As for the solution that basketball games supposedly hold, these harmless activities have a way of getting more violent because of bad blood from outside the courts. Also, it’s interesting to note that ALL the residents claim that the basketball clinics – the methods of ‘peaceably’ settling the gang misunderstandings started long before Bar. Capt. Lacuna took office. On street cleaning, the only real say the barangay Office has is on who is chosen for street cleaning. The one actually paying these individuals is the municipality. Also, the MMDA are also involved, so it is not a purely barangay-specific endeavour. The drug addiction monitoring is actually rather minimal. While the tanods are able to make random raids, they are not able to place people in jail for possession of illegal substances. In the few occasions wherein they are able to send the users off to detention areas or to municipality holding cells, these civilians are quickly bailed out anyway and the cycle begins anew.
VI. Conclusions and Recommendations It cannot be said, really, whether or not additional authority given to the barangay office will be helpful. There has to be a system wherein upon the committing of a crime – especially when drugs are involved – all the different agencies are connected or working closely with each other. There is PDEA, the barangay itself, the municipality, and the police force. There must be a delineation of responsibilities and a definition of functions of these different agencies, these units. Also, there must be a better definition of the liabilities of these government bodies to the people and to their counterparts, a check and balance, so that there will be no (or at least less) chance for corruption. There should be sincerity in the implementation of existing laws. The participation of the people of the communities is also important. The community should be educated, organized, and trained to fight crime. From reporting to monitoring, the people themselves should be made a part of the system. They should be made to understand the need for peace and order for the development of the area. Instead of the government simply focusing on crime prevention, their efforts can them be turned to other areas to better the barangay.
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