New vehicles for SWAT, PB and Capitol top officials

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government turned over two units of patrol vehicles to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team of the city police.

Councilor David Tumulak, chairman on City Council Committee on Public Order and Safety as well as the Deputy Mayor for Police Matters, told reporters yesterday that the city government is willing to help the law enforcers in the city especially in terms of security.

General Services Office officer-in-charge Ronaldo Malacora told The FREEMAN yesterday that the two units of patrol vehicles cost P1.7 million.

Based on the record, the city government purchased the vehicles in 2012 and 2014 to be distributed to some barangays as service cars.

Cebu City Police Office acting director Police Superintendent Joel Doria thanked the city government for the assistance, saying the vehicles will be of big help in the operations of the SWAT team.

"Malaking tulong po yun pagdating sa operational capability ng SWAT natin, nagpapasalamat po tayo sa City Government lalong-lalo na kay Mayor at kay Councilor Tumulak dahil sa pagbigay nila ng additional na mobile patrol sa SWAT natin," he said.

In 2006, the city government gave two units of Toyota Innova to SWAT.

Tumulak said another set of equipment will be given to the law enforcers next month. These items are bulletproof vests and bomb suits, among others.

Meanwhile, all 17 Cebu Provincial Board members were issued brand-new Nissan Navarra Tuesday.

One unit costs P1.5 million, according to Jone Sepe, Provincial General Services Office head, with the total cost of all 16 vehicles pegging at P24 million.

Board Member Jerome Librando of the Seventh District said the vehicle would help him visit his constituents in far-flung areas in his district.

"Dako tabang kay hilabina sa maong lugar nga probinsya, lisod agian ang mga karsada. Makasuroy gyod mi," he said.

Sepe said the old serviceable vehicles assigned to the PB members will be given to other departments and offices that have no vehicles to use.

He also said key programs that need mobilization will be given vehicles as well.

Sepe earlier said the budget used for the purchase of the brand-new vehicles was taken from the Governor's Fund under the 2016 annual budget of the province.

Governor Hilario Davide III and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale were each issued brand-new Isuzu MU-X SUVs sometime June this year after their old service vehicles have been rendered unserviceable.

Each new vehicle costs P1.865 million with the settlement taken from the Governor's Fund under the 2015 annual budget. (FREEMAN)