Noy approves P170 M to fix 1,700 police stations

MANILA, Philippines - Leaking roofs, filthy toilets, broken floor tiles and dirty walls will soon be things of the past in all police stations. 

President Aquino approved the release of P170 million for the cleanup of about 1,700 police stations nationwide, according to Interior Secretary Mar Roxas.

“More or less P100,000 will be given to each police station for the repair of leaking roofs and filthy toilets,” Roxas added.

The STAR reported last Wednesday that National Capital Region Police Office director Chief Superintendent Marcelo Garbo Jr. sacked a Manila Police District official in Tayuman for the dismal conditions in his precinct, including a filthy restroom.

Shortly after his appointment, Garbo went around Manila to check on police stations.  Observers said public areas in police stations are often dirty and dingy, with stray cats and dogs roaming freely. Detention cells are dark and dingy and smell of sweat. Restrooms often have no water and are in need of repair. The only offices that are clean and air-conditioned belong to ranking officers.

Roxas said police station commanders will be directed to submit a list of things for repair.

He noted that the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police have set standards and guidelines to ensure that costs of repair will not be bloated.

“For instance, if a police station will repair the leaking roof, the commander will be given P650 per square meter, including the GI sheets, insulation and braces,” Roxas explained, adding that P1,030 was budgeted for the repair of a toilet.

He added that after all the repairs are done, policemen will have a good working environment and should keep their stations clean.