The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday said the Safer Cities initiative is a continuing work in progress, with stronger guidelines and operational improvements now being refined as implementation moves forward.

Speaking at a press briefing in Camp Crame, DILG Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla said discussions with officials of the Philippine National Police will focus on firming up policies and enhancing enforcement protocols.

“Nevertheless, the Safer Cities initiative has begun, and it will progress. It will progress to other forms of making the city safer, which I will announce in the next few weeks as we perfect this,” Remulla said.

He added that new measures and upgrades under the program will be rolled out in the coming weeks.

The DILG chief also announced that by the end of April, a comparative study will be conducted to assess focused crime data from April 2024 and 2025 against April 2026, with initial reports already indicating a decline in crime incidents.

From April 6 to 12, the PNP recorded a total of 68,257 apprehensions under the Safer Cities initiative.

Top violations logged were drinking and smoking in public places with 20,804 cases, roaming streets without shirts with 6,156 cases, minors violating curfew hours with 5,789 cases, and use of karaoke beyond allowed hours with 1,344 cases. Other violations reached 34,164 cases.

Remulla clarified that the initiative is not intended to punish ordinary workers, but to restore order, discipline, and mutual respect in public spaces.

“Katulad ng nagtatrabaho lang, puwedeng consideration. Pero ‘pag pauwi, nakikita ninyo nakatambay lang sila sa kanto na walang T-shirt silang mga grupo. Magsando man lang,” he said.

“There is a very small price to pay for civility. Ang gusto ko lang po, ang tanging hangarin ko, ay kaayusan sa ating mga kalye,” he added.

The Safer Cities initiative supports the directive of Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to build safer and more orderly communities by strengthening law enforcement not only to reduce crime, but to ensure that Filipinos feel secure in their daily lives.

Remulla also acknowledged lapses during the initial rollout of the Safer Metro Manila plan, citing an incident in Mandaluyong where a resident in Barangay Addition Hills mixing cement was mistakenly apprehended.

He said operational adjustments are being undertaken to ensure enforcement remains fair, reasonable, and focused on genuine public safety concerns.