The PNP is absolutely right in giving due importance to the perspective of winning stakeholders’ support.

Moreover, its strategy map makes clear that this is to be done mainly through improving further the positive performance of the PNP, and then undertaking a sustained public information program, with a view towards strengthening the partnership and cooperation it should be forging with the communities it serves.

In order to attain positive performance, the PNP has already identified 19 reform initiatives under its Integrated Transformation Program (ITP). It now commits to pursue these reform initiatives, and the targets it sets are clear: Four of the 19 shall be completed in 2010; another six in 2020; and still another five in 2030. The remaining four shall be completed soon after 2030.

It is expected that the positive results from the completion of the reform initiatives under the ITP shall provide the substance of PNP’s public information and dialogue program.

In order to complete them, the PNP would need the support, cooperation, and understanding of various sectors of the community. The PNP, therefore, has resolved to conduct a nation-wide pro-active advocacy campaign, pitched to both internal and external stakeholders. In 2010, 100 percent of the internal stakeholders should be reached by such a campaign; only three percent of external stakeholders are targeted for the campaign’s outreach in 2010. This figure should then move up to 20 percent in 2020, and 80 percent in 2030.

Moreover, the PNP has a number of concrete initiatives directed towards local government units (LGUs) and zones. These require active partnership with LGUs and specific tourist zones. For instance, its “Safer Community Project” aims to include from 40-50 percent of cities, provinces, and towns in 2010. This target rises to 70 percent in 2020, and finally to 90 percent in 2030.

Another initiative is for the PNP and the LGUs concerned to have an Anti-Criminality Action Plan. In 2010, 50 percent of all police stations shall already have such a plan, which would require coordination with the officials of the local community which the police station serves. By 2020, 90 percent of all police stations are expected to have such a plan; and by 2030, all police stations shall be accounted for.

For tourist destinations, the initiative is to have gun-free zones and discipline zones. The targets are: 10 percent in 2010; 50 percent in 2020; and 100 percent in 2030.

The PNP also has an integrated area community safety plan pitched to provinces with peace zones. Only 10 percent of provinces shall be covered in 2010; the percentage covered rises to 50 percent in 2020, and 75 percent in 2030.

Finally, at the grassroots level, at the level of the barangays, the PNP proposes to have Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams: in 2010, 30 percent of barangays shall have such teams; in 2020, the figure rises to 90 percent; and in 2030, it goes to 100 percent.

These initiatives aim at forging closer partnerships mainly with provinces and cities, and even down to the last municipality and barangay. Through them, the PNP hopes to win increasing stakeholders’ support. With such support, which increases every year, the PNP should be well on its way to becoming a “highly capable, effective and credible police service” by 2030.