Manila: The municipal government here is mandating its 77 barangays to implement Task Force Disiplina (Discipline) following the successful launch and implementation of the program across the town in 2025. "Task Force Disiplina, which aims to ensure that local ordinances and national laws are enforced in the town, was initially challenging but necessary," municipal task force deputy head Amory Junio said in an interview on Tuesday. "It is a huge help since now the central business district of the town is clean and orderly. It is for the general welfare of the people." Junio said the local government believes that progress begins with discipline.
According to Philippines News Agency, among the ordinances and laws strictly implemented in the town are the Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Ordinance, the Anti-Obstruction Ordinance, the Anti-Stray Animal Ordinance, and the Roads, Sidewalks, Bridges, and Public Spaces Regulation Ordinance. Also being implemented are the Anti-Colorum Tricycle Operations Ordinance; Land Transportation Office (LTO) Administrative Order AHS-2008-015 (Dress Code for Motorcycle Riders); applicable provisions of the Bayambang Revenue Code; and all other municipal ordinances and national laws enforced within the municipality.
Junio said they are set to cascade the Task Force Disiplina program to the communities. Under Executive Order (EO) 197 issued by Mayor Mary Clare Judith Phyllis Jose-Quiambao in December last year, the barangay-based discipline task force shall enforce, monitor, and ensure compliance with the ordinances and regulations, among others. "A barangay Task Force Disiplina shall strictly carry out enforcement activities, documentation, citation issuance, and coordination with the central Task Force Disiplina under the local government unit," as stated in the EO. It added that the barangays shall allocate funds from their Peace and Order Budget, 20 percent Development Fund (if applicable), and other lawful sources to support the task force's operations, while additional support may be granted by the municipal government, subject to the availability of funds and Sangguniang Bayan (Municipal Council) approval.
Junio said they are waiting for approval from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) to establish the barangay-based Task Force Disiplina, with barangay captains also serving as chairpersons of the initiative in their respective villages. The municipal or central Task Force Disiplina program was launched in August of last year, and enforcement began in October of the same year. In a separate interview on Tuesday, Kris Castro, a resident and market vendor, said they ensure cleanliness inside and around their stalls to support the program. She mentioned that the local government also assigned market cleaners to further ensure cleanliness and order in the public market.
