CATMON, CEBU – In the sweltering heat of late March, the Catmon Municipal Police Station (MPS) proved that public safety can be as refreshing as a steady breeze. Through back-to-back initiatives on March 26 and 27, 2026, the station intensified its unique Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign, dubbed “Paypay nga Nagpabugnaw ug Nagpanalipod” (A Fan that Cools and Protects).
The project, which has become a hallmark of the station’s community-centered policing, uses a simple, everyday tool—the handheld fan—to carry life-saving messages directly into the hands of the citizenry.
A Graduation Gift of Security
The week of activities kicked off on Tuesday in Barangay Corazon. As parents gathered under the midday sun to witness the moving-up ceremony of their daycare pupils, personnel from the Catmon MPS were on hand to offer more than just congratulations.
Officers moved through the crowd, distributing customized “Paypay” to parents. While the fans provided immediate relief from the tropical heat, their true value lay in the ink printed on the blades: concise anti-illegal drug reminders, crime prevention strategies, and emergency contact numbers. For the parents of Corazon, the graduation was not just a celebration of their children’s growth, but a reminder of the community’s collective responsibility to protect that future.
Engaging the Next Generation
The momentum carried over into the following day. On March 27, the focus shifted from the household to the streets as Catmon PNP personnel organized a community dialogue specifically for the municipality’s youth.
Recognizing that the youth are often the most vulnerable to the lures of illegal activities, the police used the “Paypay” project as an icebreaker. During the dialogue, officers discussed the nuances of peace and order, encouraging the young participants to become active stakeholders in their own safety.
“It’s not just about the fan,” one officer noted during the distribution. “It’s about the conversation that starts when we hand it over. We want the youth to see us as partners, not just enforcers.”
What sets “Paypay nga Nagpabugnaw ug Nagpanalipod” apart is its continuity. By integrating these distributions into significant community milestones like school graduations, youth forums, barangay assembly and other community engagements of the Catmon MPS ensures that their “best practice” isn’t just a one-time event, but a sustained presence.
The safety tips stay in the hands of the public, serving as a constant visual cue in homes, markets, and plazas. The proactive approach has significantly softened the barrier between the police and the public, fostering an environment where citizens feel comfortable reporting concerns and cooperating with local authorities.
As the sun set on the two-day operation, the message from Catmon was clear: in this municipality, security is a shared breeze. Through the “Paypay” project, the Catmon PNP continues to demonstrate that innovative, culturally-rooted policing is the most effective way to keep the peace—one flick of the wrist at a time.
