P3.7 M for cops in Yolanda areas

MANILA, Philippines - Police in Eastern Visayas received packs of goods and new uniforms from the leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP) the other day.

PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima said the PNP raised P3.7 million in cash plus donations of medicine to be distributed to over 3,000 police personnel affected when Super Typhoon Yolanda struck their areas last Nov. 8.

Purisima led the turnover of cash and non-cash aid to PNP personnel in Eastern Visayas last Friday at Police Regional Office 8 (PRO 8) in Camp Kangleon, Palo, Leyte.

Along with other PNP officials, Purisima turned over 4,250 individual packs to some 3,187 affected uniformed and non-uniformed personnel in PRO 8.

“Each pack is composed of three kilos of rice, canned goods, water and clothes. There were also sets of athletic shirt, camouflage green, combat boots, black and athletic socks, and blankets,” said Purisima.

The PNP chief added some construction materials will also be given to help them re-build their homes and offices, which were also totally damaged.

Purisima said P3.7 million in cash donations were raised from PNP Regional Offices, National Support Units and stakeholders including Dimalupig Class ’81 (PMA Class of Purisima), Police Cavaliers Association Inc. (PCAI) and participants of Men Opposed to Violence Against Women Everywhere (MOVE) Summit.

The PNP chief thanked the leadership of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Police Regional Office (PRO) Cordillera, PRO CARAGA, PRO 9, Police Security Protection Group and Intelligence Group who led in collecting the cash donations from their respective personnel.

He said the PNP Health Service also sent 34 boxes of medicine and medical supplies together with three doctors, six psychologists and five nurses to provide medical assistance to injured personnel and to help the others in dealing with their post-traumatic needs. Armed Forces and Police Mutual Benefit Association Inc. provided P4 million for affected members of the PNP and the Armed Forces in Leyte and Samar.

The Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund Inc. (PSMBFI) also released the initial insurance benefits for the orphaned families of six PNP members who died in the calamity in the amount of P71,000 each.

The PNP said P5,000 each will also be released to the initial 907 PSMBFI members affected by the calamity.

PSMBFI also donated two generator sets, two units of water purifier system, medicine, vitamins and other medical supplies as well as computer equipment for the satellite office of Regional Finance Office 8.