Gov't allots P34.1M for PNP stations' repair, construction

MANILA, Philippines - Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas on Monday said the government has allocated P34.1 million for the renovation and construction of new police stations in the province of Albay.

Roxas said Tabaco City was allotted with P16 million, Pio Duran town with P4.6 million and Ligao City was given P10.5 million for the construction of new police stations in Albay.

Fourteen other police stations in the province were allotted with funds ranging from P200,000 to P300,000 for the renovation of their offices, he added.

Under the DILG’s Oplan Hilamos (Oplan Dignity) program, the government has allocated P170 million to renovate at least 1,700 old and dilapidated police stations aimed at giving lawmen dignity in their place of work.

Roxas said the country’s police chiefs will be given a ‘menu’ of the things or items they wanted to repair or renovate at their stations, and they include worn out roofing, toilets, lightings and paint. Every police station will be covered by a work program.

He said that with the implementation of Oplan Diginity, it would enhance public acceptance and perception of the PNP office and the personnel manning it.

"The objective is to bring dignity back to the PNP officers’ place of work. Sa ganitong paraan, mas mapapabuti ang serbisyo nila sa mamamayan at mapapanatili ang mabuting relasyon nila sa komunidad," he added.

Meanwhile, Roxas said the DILG will also hire 77 civilians or non-uniformed police personnel (NUPs) in Albay to boost the number of policemen patrolling and fighting crimes on the streets.

"I am encouraging young, idealistic, and disciplined high school graduates with technical or vocational skills and college undergraduates from Albay to join the PNP. Binibigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang mga may kakayahan na maging lingkod-bayan sa pamamagitan ng PNP at maging bahagi ng kampanya laban sa kriminalidad," he said.

Roxas, also the chairman of the National Police Commission (Napolcom), advised interested applicants from Albay to inquire and apply for the vacant positions at the PNP Regional, Provincial or City and Municipal Police Stations near their area.

The PNP has been tasked to hire 7,439 NUPs by June this year, 4,457 of which will replace uniformed personnel equipped with police skills and training but are doing office work in various police stations across the country.