Operations fund for police force doubled

DEPARTMENT of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo announced recently that the fund for Maintenance and Operating Expenditure [MOE] of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for each personnel will be increased from P540 to P1,000 per month.

Robredo made the assurance during his visit at the Davao City Peace and Order Council (DCPOC) second quarter meeting at Grand Men Seng Hotel on Wednesday afternoon.

Robredo said the National Government has already allocated a P1,000 budget for every police personnel per month starting this year, in which the cash will be directly given to every police provincial and city office and stations nationwide.

"Bahala na sila sa pera, we'll just ask for the liquidation," Robredo said.

"We came up with the decision that the amount should be directly released to each office and station. For example, meron 25 police personnel in one station, we will release P25,000 for them. Ganoon po ang nagiging basehan kasi dati meron ibang personahe na di nakakatanggap ng P540 so ngayon we will make sure na pantay-pantay na lahat," he added.

Robredo had also requested the House of the Senate to incorporate such provision in the general appropriations act of the budget for the police offices and stations must be P1,000 every police per month.

Robredo added that aside from reducing complaints against the PNP because of lack of resources, this is also for the police not to rely always on the support of the local government units.

Senior Superintendent Ronald M. dela Rosa, Davao City Police Office director, promised that the P1,000 per capita budget for the police here in the city will be used wisely by every station commander.