THE SECURITY OPERATIONS OF PROVINCIAL GUARDS IN MOUNTAIN ROVINCE
(Dario F. Guinayen)

INTRODUCTION

Security, in its semantic and philosophical sense, implies a stable, relatively predictable environment in which an individual or group may pursue its ends without disruption or harm, and without fear of such disturbance or injury (Dulipas and Peckley, 2008).

The need for security of lives and properties is as old as the history of man’s existence is characterized by constant exposure to dangers that may be caused by nature and his fellowmen. Hence, it is innate among human beings to seek protection from danger, from damage of their property, from injury or even death (Corpuz, 2007).

After the World War II, there were tremendous influx of machineries and other equipment in the Philippines following the Reparation Act. Government-owned or controlled companies and their subsidiaries as well as private commercial and industrial firms, could not provide adequate protection to these machineries through their respective in-house security personnel. Hence, they resulted to use of contract private watchmen and security guards. The great demand for SG’s/watchmen saw the unprecedented growth in the private security industry. This resulted to a chaotic situation in the security industry because there was no set of standards regarding laws, rules and regulations that governed the organization, operation and business of security guard agencies of the Philippines. So, the group of private detective, watchman and security guard agency came up with an association known as the “Philippine Association of Detective and Protective Agency Operators Incorporated” (PADPAO) (Montojo, 2006).

In Mountain Province, the Security Services Division (SSD) is composed of the Provincial Security Guards (PSG’s). It was established as one organic unit of the province with the sole mission to protect lives and properties including personnel within its area of responsibility. The PSG’s are also responsible for all the security operations (SO’s) of the provincial government. A SO is an aspect of security where the company ensures that all policies, rules, regulations, systems and procedures are followed and enforced (Dela Cruz, 2007). According to Peckley (2009), during his lecture on Advance Security Management Course, SO’s refer to what the SG’s in the field do as they perform their jobs such as roving, patrol etc.

The creation of the SSD by the province emanates from the blanket autonomy given to local government units particularly Section 7 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 337, an Act Enacting a Local Government Code as amended by Republic Act No. 7160 and section 76 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991. Section 7 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 337 states that:

“Every local government unit shall exercise the powers expressly granted, those necessarily implied therefrom, as well as powers necessary and proper for governance such as to promote health and safety, enhance prosperity, improve morals, and maintain peace and order in the local government unit, and preserve the comfort and convenience of the inhabitants therein” (www.lawphil.net/statutes/bataspam/bp1983/bp_337_1983.html).

While section 76 of Republic Act 7160 states that:
“Every local government unit shall design and implement its own organizational structure and staffing pattern taking into consideration its service requirements and financial capability, subject to the minimum standards and guidelines prescribed by the Civil Service Commission” (www.chanrobles.com/ local gov.htm).

On the other hand, the creation of other offices and positions in a local government unit such as the SSD will be realized only provided that they are the priority needs as identified by the local chief executive, the Sanggunian and/or the local government councils concerned. Provided, further that the mandatory positions shall have been created; and provided finally that the budgetary limitations under section 325 of the Code have been complied. (Civil Service Commission MC.NO. 19, S: 1992)

The SSD was under the General Services Office (GSO) before but now transferred to the Office of the Governor by virtue of Administrative Order No. 19 s.2009. The SSD was created with a vision to safeguard all provincial edifices and facilities and all people using them. The SSD is a Government Guard Unit (GGU) maintained and operated by the province. A GGU is a security unit maintained and operated by any government entity other than military or police, which is established and maintained for the purpose of securing the office or compound and/or extension of such government entity (www.pnp.gov.ph/ down/content/sagsd_forms/ IRRRA5487.pdf - 195k). The PSG’s work are the following: to secure the place or the building from any act of emergency or violence; patrol the place and observe each person who will enter the building; check the belongings of any person who will enter the building/place; monitor the place; check unnecessary actions; report any act of suspicious observations to the local police; call police or fire departments in case of emergency; encode the names of the entire person who will enter in the log book; make daily routine inside the building; check each office; close the lights and lock all possible entrance; protect all the people inside the building from any violence and emergencies (www.ofwguide.com/profile_item-108/Security_ Guard.html - 34).

In general, the traits that a SG should possess to meet the satisfaction and praise of the clientele is that the guards assigned to them should be adequately trained for the job, alert, energetic, neat and self-acting. Self-acting here means that the guard has initiative. He does not have to be directed to do what he is to do (De leon, 1979).

There are many researches about private security management or administration in the country but this researcher has not found any study about SO’s of government SG’s such as the PSG’s in Mountain Province.

This study will be very significant because if the PSG’s and the clients are fully aware of the nature of the duties and functions of SG’s then it is presumed that there will be an efficient and effective security services, likewise, the higher the degree of effectiveness of their performance the more effective and efficient they can deliver security services, and lastly should the level of satisfaction of clients on their performance be found serious the guards needs upgrading in their work performance.