Bautista: Sum it, sum meet

I WAS asked in behalf of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to speak before all the advisory councils all over the country during the 3rd Advisory Council Summit held in Waterfront Cebu.

I am lolo already as I have stayed the longest since 2012. I am also however in the know as what to do. An expert I would say. The reason why I am asked to always take part. I won't back down to any invitation for something like this.

For my part, I have been fortunate to be asked by no less than the "supposed" chiefs of the PNP, Benji Magalong and Gani Nerez. I couldn't say NO to them. But as fate would have been, both would not get the position. Today I am asked by another friend, General Apol, he is maybe the next Chief PNP.

To sum it all up, I have really been into the mix for the police. I am honored, of course, to be alongside them and doing what we all can for the sake of the POLICE. They would need all the HELP that we could give. They DESERVE everything.

I have for the most part dedicated my life to finding ways to be able to supplement whatever can be for them. Any help in fact is welcome. There's scholarships for them, now with their dependents and their spouses. With no less than Chief PNP Bato witnessing the occasion. Thanks to the Jaime Ongpin Foundation, well I'm president that's why. Of late Camp Crame Elementary was beneficiary to access with drinking water and school supplies.

We have found ways to cover for them. Some logistical support, to maybe some supplies and or financial help. Anything would surely be of help.

As the Mayor I would recall increasing their budget coming from the local government. I would also inform them, how and when to ask or seek for assistance. But all this is because when I was the Vice Mayor I realized that the Council has the power of the purse. Ang "Kaban ng Bayan".

Just like Mom, like in a family. Dad the Mayor. Mom takes charge of the finances and where it goes. Budgeting is in fact the role of the Sangunian. This I learned and carried over to where I am now.

Many will obviously assume that the best person to approach is the Mayor, NOT! The Vice would be the more obvious choice. But who would know? I would. For my part I now will share this to the police. To teach them how to go through a system, legally.

I have taught them, how and when to approach a local government unit. When, is a very important question. Timing it all is. For every Sangunian or Council it is normally before August. Why August? That is when the Members, Councilors, Board Members or Congressmen and even Senators deliberate on various budgets. The Budget Call that is.

Mayors don't. Mayors won't also dare Veto any budget approved or deliberated. In fact as a Mayor I had to go to the City Council to defend my very own office budget, which I ask from them, that of the Mayor's Office and then finally the entire City Executive Budget. The life blood of the City.

Any Sangunian, Council, Congress, Lower House or Upper for that matter. It is they. Not Mayors or Governors. From here many are surprised as all they know is being friends with the Yorme, or Guv. "Sip-Sip" to them too.

I now share this advice to every police unit. Municipal, City, Province or Region. Just by this advise alone, many will now be able to avail of an opportunity to be able to have some much needed help. Legally.

If also when a budget is given for some amount by the local government unit (LGU) then it becomes institutionalized and will forever form part of the budget. Also, when a unit is given such an amount it not only stays, it can only be increased and never lessened. That's just how it is. The LAW.

Just to stress my point, when I was still in government I made sure that they get their fair share. They sure deserve every bit of it.

It was when I won with the Baguio City Police Office the Most Outstanding in the Highly Urbanized Category. Besting Mayor Duterte and Davao City Police Office. Later the next year WE would again take it away from Mayor Duterte and Baguio getting it the second time around.

I have mine vs. Duterte 2-0. Now we all know who he is. But I have 2 feathers above him from this and for the police. Out of the 10 police sub stations, I have helped in funding for 6 of them. Just some talk and request amongst friends to helping the police. They will help.

Just today I have learned that Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte has just approved 1 Billion for Quezon City Police Office. Nothing compared from what we have done, but definitely the cause I have been wanting to do is now working for some. We're now getting somewhere.

As of today the Advisory Council that I Head for the Region has had 18 million in savings for 2015 and for 2016 some 28 million pesos for Camp Dangwa. Support from outside sources. This is all outside from theirs.

Remember that the PNP is a National Entity and not local. Thus their support is indeed limited and thus has to be shared among all units around the country. And that is where all this comes in.

Some significant support and from the ACADEME is scholarships for police officers in UB. The introduction by SLU of a Crime Mapping System and UC of E-Learning for all police personnel. Not only the police but so too with their families.

To sum it all up for now it has amounted to close to 46 million and counting. And that to me sums it all. That was what exactly I shared during the sum meet.

Related Stories

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph