Atienza hails WPD chief’s performance

"So far, so good."

This was the response of Manila Mayor Lito Atienza when asked to assess the performance of Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong, as the latter marked his first year as Western Police District (WPD) director yesterday, Aug. 1.

"I am commending WPD Director Bulaong for his genuine efforts to improve the performance of city’s police force as has been proven by the marked downturn of Manila’s crime rate. He has been improving the morale and the performance of our policemen," said Atienza.

He pointed out that Manila used to have the highest crime rate among Metro Manila’s cities and municipalities but has slid down in ranking to third and even fourth in the past year. "This is one contest that we would like to lose."

"The marked improvement of the peace and order condition in the city can be attributed to the combined efforts of the city government and the Manila police," noted Atienza.

He said that his administration continues to be supportive of the city’s police force, including providing financial assistance to cops assigned to the WPD in the form of monthly allowances. The city government under Atienza has also been providing mission-essential equipment to the city’s police force such as patrol cars, multi-cabs and motorcycles, mountain bikes, new firearms, bulletproof vests and even raingear.

Since Atienza assumed his post as Manila mayor in 1998, the city government has provided the Western Police District with patrol vehicles to improve the mobility of policemen assigned to the city and reduce response time to as fast as three minutes. The vehicles include 20 Nissan Sentra patrol cars, 20 Suzuki Samurai 4x4 patrol jeeps, 22 Suzuki Chariot Econocab patrol vans, 50 motorcycles and 40 mountain bikes.