Chamber wants implementation of Japanese-style police stations

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry has readied the funding for the implementation of the Community Police Action Center (COMPACT) Model Police Station Project patterned after the Japanese "koban" police precincts.

A koban is a Japanese police box. These are substations near major transportation hubs and shopping areas and in residential districts-form the first line of police response to the public.

However, Charles Sy of CCCI expressed that they face difficulties in finding sites for the police stations and the local government units were also undecided on where to place the precincts.

Sy has asked the cooperation of all sectors concerned in the implementation of the project.

Former Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Angelo Reyes envisioned COMPACT to improve the image of the Philippine National Police as an efficient body.

The project also aims to encourage private sector and community participation in maintaining peace and order by making the police precincts community-friendly.

Sy said that the project's proponents intended not only to build the structure, but also to implement a national program on the retraining of policemen.

Sy also said that the private sector, local and foreign financial institutions, government agencies and civic organizations like the Jaycees, Rotary and the like would be tapped to help finance the project.

In a recent briefing during the Regional Development Council in Central Visayas meeting, Sy has appealed to LGUs to help in the identification and provision of sites for the project. To facilitate matters, a memorandum of agreement had been prepared for the PNP, DILG and the LGU to jointly undertake the project.

Sy added that on the part of the private sector, it could help generate interest to finance not only the construction of the building, but also the training program for the policemen and the monthly operational cost of the police station. - Gregg M. Rubio