Five municipalities in Pampanga have received prestigious recognition for their exceptional efforts in maintaining peace, order, and public safety. The local government units (LGUs) were named 2025 PEACE Markers Champions during a major provincial council meeting.
Awarding Ceremony at Provincial Peace and Order Council Meeting
The joint fourth quarter meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, served as the venue for the awarding ceremony. The event was led by Governor Lilia Pineda and Vice Governor Dennis Pineda, in collaboration with the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) and the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC).
This gathering underscored the province's coordinated approach to security, bringing together key officials and agencies to assess and honor local achievements.
Ranking of the Top Performing LGUs
The municipality of Arayat emerged as the top awardee of the 2025 PEACE Marker, claiming the highest honor. The complete ranking of champion LGUs is as follows:
- First Place: Arayat
- Second Place: Magalang
- Third Place: Sasmuan
- Fourth Place: Mabalacat City
- Fifth Place: Sta. Rita
Recognizing Excellence in Governance and Safety
Myra Soriano, the director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Pampanga, explained the significance of the recognition. She stated that the award aims to honor LGUs that have demonstrated exemplary performance in implementing critical peace and order and public safety programs within their jurisdictions.
She further emphasized that this recognition spotlights the province's concerted efforts to strengthen community resilience and sustain a peaceful environment as the year concludes.
Comprehensive Security Updates Presented
During the same PPOC meeting, representatives from various national agencies delivered their quarterly reports, providing a holistic view of the province's security landscape. Key presentations included:
- Updates on crime statistics from the Pampanga Provincial Police Office (PPPO).
- Assessments of the illegal drug situation and barangay drug-clearing accomplishments from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Pampanga.
- Fire safety developments from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Pampanga.
- Internal peace and security assessments from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The recognition of the five LGUs, coupled with these detailed agency reports, marks a significant step in Pampanga's ongoing commitment to fostering a secure and prosperous environment for all its residents.
