A Case Study On Implan Bumadang: Investigating Its Impact On Building Trust And Enhancing Public Safety

Abstract

The principles of community-oriented policing emphasize the shared responsibility between law enforcement and the community in maintaining peace and order. In Benguet province, the Benguet Police Provincial Office launched IMPLAN Bumadang, a community outreach program focused on pro-poor projects to foster participatory development. This study aims to explore how the officers planned and carried out the program and examine the subsequent effects on the target community. The research utilized a qualitative case study design. Purposive sampling was employed to select six police officers from the 1st Benguet Provincial Mobile Force Company and six community members who had knowledge of and benefited from the project. Major findings indicated that police officers encountered challenges in implementation, including identifying diverse community needs, resource allocation (due to lack of specific funds), and difficult terrain access. However, successful implementation led to a sense of fulfillment for the officers. The study also found that the community experienced a sense of vulnerability before the program, particularly due to a lack of lighting. After the implementation of "IMPLAN Bumadang," specifically the "Pailaw Project," the community reported improved safety and stronger police-community relations. The conclusions underscore that effective planning considers diverse needs and security, and successful organization requires supportive stakeholders and teamwork.