PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, August 6, 2020, asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) to remain resilient amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
“I ask you to ensure that the PNP will remain pandemic-resilient by adopting protective protocols in the new normal,” Duterte said in his video message for the 119th Police Service Anniversary Thursday.
Duterte also expressed his gratitude to the PNP for its service amid the pandemic.
“Be assured of our nation’s gratitude for your significant contributions to our campaign against illegal drugs, criminality and terrorism. I likewise extend our appreciation for your selfless service as frontliners in our fight against Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
As of August 5, the PNP recorded 2,347 confirmed infections among its ranks, with 11 deaths and 1,384 recoveries.
Under monitoring were 886 probable cases and 2,354 suspected cases.
PNP Chief Archie Gamboa, in his speech, assured the welfare and wellness of the police frontliners as well as those doing administrative work.
He said the PNP has established its own Covid-19 diagnostic testing centers which will prioritize the members of the national police agency.
The PNP also created the Admin Support to Covid- 19 Operations Task Force to ensure logistical, financial, and health support to its frontliners.
He reminded his men to strictly implement the health protocols to prevent additional Covid-19 casualties among their ranks.
Gamboa said they will adopt the guidelines crafted by the study group for the conduct of operations during the transition under the new normal.
He said the guidelines were anchored on the following key principles such as adherence to the minimum health standards, use of technology/IT, revised deployment scheme/work schedule, enhanced personnel knowledge/competency, enhanced workspace (fixed or mobile), infrastructure and new equipment/additional funding.
However, Gamboa said these guidelines, albeit responsive, are still insufficient.
“To effectively navigate the new normal in the digital age towards the delivery of PNP’s organizational outcomes, there is a need to revisit and integrate current and proposed strategic plans to come up with a harmonized medium and long term plans for the organization,” he said.
“In line with this, the Study Group on the Adaption to New Normal was expanded with the addition of three subgroups, to wit: Sub- Group on Reorganization; Sub- Group on Capability Enhancement and S.M.A.R.T. Policing; and Sub- Group on Human Resource Development,” he said.
He said the study group is tasked to assess and strengthen the PNP’s planning and budgeting services, and the human resource and development program; harmonize all the existing and proposed PNP strategic plans; incorporate the programs, activities, and projects of the harmonized medium and long term plans into the annual operations plans and budget; and ensure that the harmonized plans are translated into the PNP’s budget proposal starting 2022. (SunStar Philippines)