Rotary inks partnership with PNP, AFP

Ten Rotary International districts in the Philippines signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to be their ground partners in their nationwide bloodletting programs and environmental projects in a ceremony yesterday at Camp Crame and Camp Aguinaldo, respectively.

Chief PNP, Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. and AFP Chief of staff, General Andres Centino, signed in behalf of the  law enforcement and armed agencies with the 10 incoming Rotary International District Governors in the country; Rodolfo Enriquez (District 3770), Paul Angel Galang (D3780), Francisco Cornejo (D3790), Ronald Solis (D3800), Lilian De La Cruz (3810), William Pastor Delloro, Jr. (D3820), Antonio Tambunting III (D3830), Maria Ester Espina (D3850), Rozanne Gamboa (D3860) and Gilda Go (D3870).

The MOA states that Rotary Districts in the Philippines will work closely with the AFP and PNP on the National Bloodletting Activity scheduled next month as well as be partners in implementing National Environmental Projects on September which include artificial reef deployment, expanding mangrove belts among others.

The agreement was facilitated by former PNP Chief, retired PGEN Archie Gamboa who is the District Trainer of District Training Facilitator 3860 that will be governed by his wife, Rozanne come July 1.

The MOA will also include working together in implementing other programs covered by Rotary’s Seven Areas of Focus which are Peace Building and Conflict Prevention, Disease Prevention and Treatment, Water Sanitation and Hygiene, Maternal and Child Health, Basic Education and Literacy, Community Livelihood and Economic Development, and the Environment.

The MOA will serve as “written authorization” from the AFP and PNP for their men to “coordinate, liaise and cooperate” with Rotary districts in their projects and advocacy for Rotary Year 2023-2024.

Rotary International is a worldwide socio-civic organization made up of Rotarians who are people of action and who connect people, transform communities and fund sustainable serve projects.

To date, there are more than 25,000 Rotarians under the ten districts that cover almost all areas in the country. Among their most notable program is the campaign to end polio which was first launched by Rotary International in the Philippines in 1979.

Since then, the End Polio Now campaign has become a worldwide phenomenon and has eradicated the disease in almost all countries except two – Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Rotary’s partnership with law enforcement agencies also affirms the organizations stand that both the PNP and the AFP play an important role in safeguarding the peace and security of the country and in nation building.