A new and meaningful change has started in Central Visayas as the Police Regional Office 7 (PRO7) officially launched Project: Tulay sa Pagbabago (TUPA-Shepherding) on Tuesday, July 22, at Camp Ceferino Genovia in Barangay Bahay, Sibonga, Cebu. The event was attended by 46 police officers from different units across the region.

TUPA-Shepherding is a program to help police officers who have made mistakes get back on the right path. It focuses on forgiveness, second chances, and personal growth, to restore trust and create a better working culture within the police force.

Led by PBGen. Redrico A Maranan, Regional Director of PRO7, the program offers a chance for change not through punishment alone, but through support, guidance, and learning.

Importantly, TUPA-Shepherding aligns with the second key pillar of CPNP PGen Nicolas Torre III’s leadership, promoting unity and morale within the ranks. By offering guidance and second chances, the program fosters a culture of support and accountability, helping build a stronger, more united police force.

“Tulay sa Pagbabago” means a bridge to change. It’s a bridge for those who want to fix their mistakes, for those who feel lost, and for all of us who want to become better public servants,” said Maranan.

PBGEN Maranan first introduced this program when he served as District Director in Quezon City. He believes that every police officer deserves a second chance, and that true leadership is about helping others grow.

The main idea behind the program is “Shepherding”. This means training selected police officers, called Shepherds, to become mentors who will guide and support their fellow officers. These mentors will offer spiritual advice, wellness support, values education, and behavior coaching to help others become better and more committed in their service.

“Instead of turning our backs on those who made mistakes, we choose to believe in their ability to change. And we’ve already seen that change happen. Many officers are now back in uniform with a renewed sense of purpose,” PBGEN Maranan added.

The seminar held during the launch marks the official start of the program in Central Visayas. The first batch of Shepherds is now being trained and will soon begin mentoring others who need help and guidance.

TUPA-Shepherding is not just a one-time program, it is a long-term effort to help police officers become better people, both in and out of uniform. (PRO7-RPIO)