Virac sets aside plot for lawmen

Members of the Philippine National Police who are felled in the line of duty or die from plain old age can now be buried in a cemetery for lawmen only - courtesy of the Virac municipal government.

Through Municipal Ordinance No. 2000-017 approved by the Sangguniang Bayan last October 24 and signed by Mayor Jose U. Alberto II, a portion of the municipal cemetery in Palnab del Norte has been designated as the "Libingan ng mga Bayaning Pulis."

Proposed by Councilors Virgilio A. Candelaria and former police officer Arsenio T. Romero, the measure set aside 500 square meters of the cemetery for the benefit of the PNP, which shall pay annual dues levied on the lot.

The lot, the ownership of which will remain with the local government, will be for the exclusive interment of PNP personnel, including retirees, who are residents of Virac. All improvements on the "Libingan" will have to be made by the PNP.

The establishment of the cemetery plot was made after PNP provincial director Supt. Rolando O. Gonzales requested the Sangguniang Bayan for a possible site the municipal government could grant Virac lawmen.

It is also part of a nationwide program of the PNP in recognition of the patriotic deeds of its personnel, including those who are already separated from the service. Eventually, all towns in the country will have set aside a similar "Libingan" in their cemeteries.