CPPO opens ‘honest store’

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Police Office has opened an ‘honest store’ at its headquarters’ lobby, whose success largely depends on the honesty of its customers.

Patterned after a Batangas shop and of a television show Honesto that values honesty, the store is named “Noy Honesto Coffee Shop.”

CPPO director Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac said the store serves as a social experiment. It is funded by a police cooperative. The success of the store depends on how honest the policemen who would be the store’s customers.

Gillamac has appointed his secretary, PO1 Devie Silva, as store manager because of her honesty and the potential to run the shop.

Silva, an education graduate, was adamant to accept the job because she has no background in running a business. But, as a good soldier, she has to accept the job.

Gillamac said the concept of the store was patterned after the honesty coffee shop in Batanes. He said he also got the idea from the soap opera “Honesto” that values honesty among others.

The shop offers drinks, candies, biscuits, noodles, and bread baked by the inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center.

The store had a soft opening last week and started full operation Monday. The store operates without a sales person and a cashier. The customer will have to leave the payment of the item he or she wants to purchase at the counter.

Gillamac said that since it started operation, the sales are commensurate to the products sold.

He said that the store wants to inculcate honesty in police officers assigned at the provincial headquarters. He added that police officers should learn how to value honesty.

Gillamac said that the ceiling fans at the lobby will be fixed and Wifi internet connection will be provided for free to their clients.

 Gillamac said the CPPO is a pilot area of the Department of Science and Technology for its fiber optic Internet connection.

According to Gillamac, some of the police officers assigned at the CPPO have offered to sell their products at the store through consignment.

He said it is a good sign because police officers are encouraged to develop their entrepreneurial skills.

At least 80 police officers have pooled their resources to form the Cebu Provincial Police Office Consumers Cooperative, which operates the store.

The cooperative is duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and of the Cooperative Development Authority.

Gillamac said that the honesty shop at the CPPO is the first of its kind in Cebu. It is one of the best practices of the PNP that Gillamac wants the other police offices to follow.— (FREEMAN)