CATBALOGAN, Samar – Checkpoints are put up for good reasons. Their results are twin significance, advantageous or disadvantageous, positive or negative, facilitative or obstructive.

This conclusion is proven by the Economic Development Council (EDC), headed by the Secretary of Trade and Industry and composed of several government and private agencies when it approved a resolution No. 7, s. 2004, entitled – “Urging the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to Eliminate Unnecessary Check Points of Local Government Units and the Philippine National Police.”

The putting up of check-points is resorted to in provinces and municipalities with problems on rampant criminality, insu9rgency and an unstable peace and order situation, remarked Camilo Jabonete, a general education supervisor of the Division of Samar, in a casual conversation relative to the police strategies aimed at stabilizing the peace and order situation in Samar.

Jovito Lacaba, Samar DILG provincial director, informed the other day that his office was in receipt recently a copy of DILG unnumbered Memorandum, dated November 18, 2004, accompanied by a copy of the EDC resolution.

The EDC resolution cited the following reasons why the checkpoints in Metro Manila particularly, which had been installed by local government units and law enforcement agencies, should be abolished.

These reasons are: in the export business transactions, “efficiency can only be achieved if domestic transportation of export god will be transported on time and unimpeded by unnecessary checkpoints from local government units and law enforcement agencies;

“Unnecessary check points often result to unscrupulous transactions, rent seeking payment an2d corruption;

The unreceipted collection from this checkpoints, add to the rising cost for exporters, thus major export goods uncompetitive in price.”

In DILG memorandum, Secretary Angleo Reyes, in his memorandum to all DILG Regional Management and Coordinating Committee (RMCCs), said – EDC Resolution No. 7 requests the DILG to cause the elimination of unnecessary checkpoints in the streets which hampers the transport of good fro export.

In view of this resolution, all Regional Management and Coordination Committee are hereby directed to look into this resolution and take the necessary steps, consistent with existing policies, rules and regulations on law enforcement.