Modern building for Makati cops

The new Makati Police Department (MPD) building with state-of-the-art facilities will be completed by the second quarter of next year, becoming the first of its kind in the country.

A statement from the Makati City government said that construction of the four-storey building has already begun.

The city government allocated P200 million for the construction of the MPD building.

Located at Ayala Avenue extension, beside the Makati Fire Station in the city’s Central Business District (CBC), the new MPD building is part of the planned command center to house the MPD, Fire Department, and the Makati Public Safety (MAPSA).

Moving the MPD building to the CBD is part of the city government’s effort "to protect top local and foreign corporations, banks, embassies, and commercial establishments," a statement from the city government said.

The country’s top 500 companies, the headquarters of foreign banks and corporations, around 54 embassies and foreign agencies are based in Makati.

"The construction of a new Makati police station is deemed timely for housing the present 547 city police force together with the 37 members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) to bring viable services to counteract threats against the peace and order in the premier city, ensuring the welfare of residents and tourists alike," the city government said.

The construction of the new building was "fasttracked" as a result of the terrorist threats on the country’s financial district the past year, said Joey Salgado, officer-in-charge of the Information and Community Relations Department (ICRD).

Salgado said the MPD building is patterned after those of the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).

The building will house electronic database, such as information received from the closed circuit television (CCTV) installed at major intersections in the city.

"The building’s new location will facilitate the response time and will also be deterrent to crime, considering that it is such an imposing structure," Salgado said.

The current MPD building is located in front of the city hall on J.P. Rizal Street.

Next to be renovated is the fire station, according to Salgado. — Nikko Dizon