Roxas: P170M for upgrade of police stations

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Saturday, May 10, announced it would be fixing existing police stations and building new ones under the DILG and Philippine National Police’s joint project “Oplan Dignity.”

In a statement, DILG Secretary Mar Roxas said P170 million (U$3.9 million) will be used to repair, expand, and modernize old police buildings. Roxas is also the chairman of the National Police Commission, which has supervision over the PNP. 

Through the project, police chiefs can get between P100,000-P250,000 (US$ 3,000- US$5,700) to repair or expand buildings. The project was first announced in August 2013, meant to service over 1,700 police stations in the country. 

Police precints and stations need to be beefed up following new policies introduced by PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima this year.

Beginning February, following the controversy involving actor Vhong Navarro and model Deniece Cornejo, only the PNP’s “fronliners” – those with the capability to investigate – will be allowed to make police blotters. 

“The primary purpose is to improve the image of the police organization and bring dignity to its personnel,” said Roxas.

Roxas was recently in San Manuel, Isabela to inaugurate a 3-story police which cost P4.6 million. In a message, Roxas urged the 28-strong San Manuel police force to go after criminals, regardless of their alleged connections.

“If anybody says he or she enjoys the protection of high government officials, I am telling you, as far as that is concerned, that is a lie. I want to see it in your records that you have arrested dangerous criminals, and don’t tell me you have failed to do so because this or that man has a pipeline to my office,” he added. – Bea Cupin/Rappler.com

(US$1= P43.6250)