In line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s push for safer communities, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has launched the Handbook for Barangay Tanods to reinforce their duties in the frontlines as barangay peacekeepers.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla underscored how this will cement the extensive roles of tanods in communities. “With this holistic guidebook, our barangay tanods are positioned to be more than just auxiliary enforcers – they are also community peacebuilders, rights advocates, and development partners,” he said.

Through a collaboration with the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC), the Department, through the National Barangay Operations Office (NBOO), enhanced its previous manual on Barangay Tanod Skills Enhancement to publish a comprehensive reference on the technical and ethical foundation of every barangay tanod.

Based on the Local Government Code of 1991, Sangguniang Barangays are authorized to organize barangay tanods as needed for assistance in community-based mechanisms for peace and order among localities. This initiative reinforces their strengthened role in the communities as first responders, peacebuilders, rights advocates, and community development partners.

In the updated handbook accessible at https://bit.ly/2025TanodGuidebook, instructions for barangay tanods as first responders were improved to become effective agents in providing aid and support in procedures undertaken at a crime scene.It also includes their roles in upholding the laws concerning gender and development, child protection, cultural sensitivity, and human rights protection.

With the recent issuance of Memorandum Circular No. 2025-072 on the deployment of barangay tanods to public schools, the handbook is instrumental in providing institutional support as they meet the expectations as the government’s extended arm to sustain peace and order.

In addition to this initiative, the DILG and the JSCC conducted the Barangay Tanod Skills Enhancement Training to capacitate the tanods in the four justice zones in Angeles City, Balanga City, Calamba City, and Tagaytay City.

With this move, the Department remains committed to capacitating our agents of peace and progress as the government’s force multipliers in ensuring public safety and development at the grassroots level.

Original Article At: https://www.dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-rolls-out-manual-for-tanods-on-barangay-peacekeeping/NC-2025-1231