PNP lauds IT budget restoration

MANILA, Philippines —  The Philippine National Police lauded yesterday the Marcos administration for restoring the outlay for the PNP’s information technology projects.

Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, PNP spokesperson and Central Luzon police director, said they welcome the restoration of the IT budget, which will help in improving the PNP’s information and communications technology (ICT) capabilities to deter breaches in the organization’s data system and combat cyber criminals.

President Marcos has ordered the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to restore the PNP’s budget, which was slashed by Congress.

The funding for the PNP’s information technology program, including the enhancement of the national police clearance system, was cut from P619 million to P232 million.

The DBM also reduced the PNP’s allocation for the establishment of a safe camp security system, from P472 million to P161 million.

The PNP drug-related data integration and generation system’s allocation was slashed from P553 million to P196 million.

With cyber criminals using state-of-the-art technology, Fajardo said the PNP also has the latest ICT equipment at its disposal.

Marbil extension

Meanwhile, Fajardo said they also welcomed the possible extension of PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil’s term.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier said that Marbil’s term could be extended until the end of the midterm elections in June.

“We have to understand that we are in the thick of our preparations for the elections. It would be difficult to change the PNP leadership,” Fajardo said.