Opposition dads question peace and order budget

CEBU, Philippines - Some opposition members of the Cebu City Council have questioned the P293.9 million the executive department proposed as budget for the city's peace and order program next year.

The amount includes P3 million for the renovation of Cebu City Command Center at the City Hall's ninth floor, P5 million for the repair and improvement of police stations, P5 million for the renovation of the police's firing range, P5 million for various bomb squad equipment, P10 million  for the bomb squad's vehicles, P11 million as aid to the judiciary, P22 million for food subsidy to City Jail inmates, P 5 million for policemen training, P3.5 million for the ammunition of the police and the military.

During the budget hearing yesterday, Councilor Joel Garganera raised his concern on the status of majority of the city's 11 police stations considering there is a proposed P5 million for the renovation and construction of police precincts in the city.

"Last week, during our Police Advisory Council (meeting), ilang gi-raise ang status sa ilang police stations. (Construction of the buildings for the) waterfront police station, sa Fuente, Mabolo, these are projects nga with private participation. Business  establishments nag-sponsor. Do we have the same programs for police stations sa south? Because the police stations are the reflection sa atong police," he said.

He cited as example the "unattractive" Pardo Police Station, where the detention cell is located by the entrance.

"Why not appropriate budget for a new police station? Or maybe we can ask the business community to help in this project? Para nako, wala man tay program anang private partnership nga walay gasto ang government," Garganera said.

Councilor Pastor Alcover, Jr. also raised the "worst" condition of the Talamban Police Station.

"Kung mosulod kas police station pwerteng batia…. Inig kurbada dili ka ka-parking.  Ang police station mas risgo diha dapita," he said.

Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council head Nagiel Bañacia, who presented the peace and order program budget, said he will check the public-private partnership program of the previous administration on this.

"Some big establishments offer to have police and fire stations. It will decrease their insurance premium because na-improve ang security and safety. I think it's good (endeavor) to pursue," Bañacia said.

Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera said the Department of Interior Local Government has the responsibility to assist the police improve their stations

"For me, atong unahon we will assist them aning lot acquisition and construction of building, (and) demand for additional police stations because (the number of) existing police stations are not sufficient to cater to our constituency. Just like the Lahug area, which is so big but under sa Mabolo (police) station," she said, adding that the current 11 police stations cannot cater to the peace and order requirements of all 80 barangays of the city. (FREEMAN)