News about hazing and gang wars among fraternities in the country is still rampant, but in Valenzuela City their differences and ideals will never hinder them in building harmonious relationships and serving the community.

As a proof of their strong camaraderie, not only among themselves but also with the government, the City Government of Valenzuela and the Task Force on Fraternities and Gangs Intervention and Prevention (TAFFGIP) prepared a Christmas party with a theme “Coming Together is a Beginning and Working Together is a Success” at the Valenzuela City Town Hall, December 1.

The party, attended by the members of Tau Gamma Phi, Alpha Phi Omega, Alpha Kappa Rho, Magic 5 Brotherhood and Scouts Royale Brotherhood, aims to strengthen the partnership between the local government and the fraternities.

Mayor REX Gatchalian thanked the fraternities for maintaining peace and order in the city and by participating actively in different programs and services toward community development.

“Ang importante sa atin kasi, kaysa mag-away-away ay mas maging produktibong mga miyembro na lamang tayo ng ating komunidad (What’s more important to us, instead of causing conflicts and misunderstandings, let us just be productive members of the community),” Mayor REX elaborated.

Meanwhile, District 1 Councilor Antonio Espiritu, Action Officer of TAFFGIP, briefly shared TAFFGIP’s history and purpose.

“Bakit nga ba may TAFFGIP? Kasi itinuturing ng pamahalaang ito na kayo ay kakampi at parte ng mga programa ng pamahalaang lokal (What’s the reason of having TAFFGIP? Because the local government treats them as comrades and partners in its programs),” Coun. Espiritu said.

“Sa Valenzuela, nagkakaisa kami. Hindi kami magkakahiwa-hiwalay sapagkat mayroon kaming misyon. Ang misyon namin, kapag nasa Valenzuela, walang Triskelion, walang Akrho [at] walang M5. Ang tingin namin [ay] pare-pareho kaming Valenzuelano (In Valenzuela, we are united because of our mission and belief that in our city, there is no Triskelion, no Akrho [and] no M5, for we are all Valenzuelanos),” he added.

In September 2013, the Task Force on Fraternities and Gangs Intervention and Prevention (TAFFGIP), formerly known as Task Force Local Anti-Organized Crime Unit (LAOCU), was renamed through Executive Order 2013 – 06 by Mayor REX Gatchalian.

Below are the objectives being followed and honored by the members of TAFFGIP:
1. Immediate resolution of conflicts among fraternities and gangs thus, preventing violent confrontations and promoting harmonious relationship among them,
2. Eradication of unsightly graffiti or vandalism in the city,
3. Initiate programs and projects in coordination with the fraternities/gangs for the development of the wellbeing of the youth,
4. Prevent the use of illegal drugs among members and encourage them to be active partners in the campaign against illegal drugs, and
5. Prevent members from involvement in crimes, vices and other illegal activities and tap them in the drive against crimes.