Wednesday, October 15, 2003
September fuel bill of city police: P10M
By Aurea A. Gerundio
THE city government of Davao has spent several millions now for the gasoline expenses of the PNP, City Budget Officer Paz Eugenio revealed Monday.
"As of September pa lang, not less than P10 million na ang nagagastos for the gasoline," Eugenio said.
Eugenio said the PNP and the military separately receive P20 million from the city's annual budget for its operating expenses, including rice subsidy.
However, she said such expenses can be justified by the number of police vehicles roving the streets 24 hours a day to ensure security of the people from lawless elements.
The city has 12 police precincts plus some special police units. To include only two major special units, the anti-vice and anti-terrorist, each precinct and unit then spends around P2,600 in gasoline expenses a day for all their vehicles.
However, Deewai Mabunga, who is the over-all coordinator for Mindanao Vote For Your Future, believes that the standing cost for PNP's gasoline is "just too much."
"At any rate, it is not worth it," she said.
"There is even no clear and direct link that the roving led to lower crime rates. Besides, you can combat crime from the barangay level utilizing barangay officials with lesser costs as long as these people are well trained. Ten million pesos spells a lot for education, health, and basic social services," Mabunga said.
(October 15, 2003 issue)
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