The renovated TRS office, located in the oldest building of the Cebu City police headquarters, is now more presentable than it was before.
The renovation was funded by its new chief, S/Inspector Alexis Relado who claimed to have used his own money including his Christmas bonus. He also said he even pawned his class ring and a necklace to complete his goal.
Relado told The Freeman that he is not after anything or trying to proving something to anybody.
"Ang sa akin lang kasi ay kahit papaano mag-iiwan tayo didto na legacy ba, kase pangit naman yung office natin na hindi presentable eh nag-rereflect yan sa personality natin," Relado explained.
When Relado was assigned to the position more than two months ago, he arrived to a dilapidated office. There was no space for the office for the deputy chief, the roof leaked and the evidence room was in ruin.
Aside from Relado, his deputy chief Insp. Michael Anthony Bastes also used his personal money to have the evidence room repaired.
It was the same evidence room where some evidences were stolen by two errand boys of the TRS a few months ago.
Initially Relado thought that it would only take only P20,000 to finish the renovation, but as the work started he realized that he needed more to have the job done.
Aside from the said office, Relado also renovated another room in one of the abandoned buildings near the gate of the firing range to be their new evidence room.
The planned renovation of the said office was actually not Relado's idea, but of former TRS chief Insp. Ambrosio Ibones.
Ibones, who held the post for two years, first asked the city director to have their office repaired but lack of funds hindered the said plan.
It was during the CCPO's Christmas party last Thursday that the office was innaugurated.
The renovation earned the approval to TRS personnel who complained that the old office was no longer presentable.
CCPO acting director Melvin Gayotin said he admired the initiative of Relado even if the funds he requested have not yet been approved, he said that he will try to ask the higher-ups to refund the expenses of the renovation when the funds are released. - Edwin Ian Melecio