PNP wants 30% budget increase for midterm elections

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police is seeking a 30-percent increase in its budget for 2019 to cover operational expenses during the midterm elections and increases in salary and allowances of PNP personnel.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said the PNP has considerably perfected the art of performing election duty as deputized agents of the Commission on Elections, with the country holding elections every three years.

Albayalde, however, said the added responsibility entails corresponding upgrade of resources to cope with the additional functions.

“This is partly the reason why we have requested a hike in the proposed PNP budget for 2019, which is 30 percent more than last year’s appropriation, largely due to the increased salary and allowances of personnel,” said Albayalde.

He said the additional salary and allowances would comprise 89 percent of the annual budget, with only eight percent allotted for Maintenance Operating and Other Expenses; and only three percent for capital outlay or acquisition of new facilities and equipment.

Albayalde noted that the additional budget would also fund the procurement of more firearms, vehicles and communication equipment for the implementation of security measures for the 2019 midterm elections.

Despite the limited resources, Albayalde assured the public that the PNP is making the most of what is available in the implementation of election security measures.

Based on the current inventory, the PNP has filled up 51 percent in the requirement for land vehicles, 19 percent in required aircraft, 31 percent in required watercraft, 93 percent in required handguns and 62 percent in required long firearms.

He added that the PNP has only 15 percent of crew-served weapons; 27 percent of communication requirement; 15 percent of anti-terrorism equipment; 61 percent of civil disturbance management equipment and 22 percent of investigative equipment.

Albayalde said their funds are being complemented by the funds from the President’s Contingency Fund, which led to the procurement of 7,700 basic assault rifles, 16,500 pistols, 205 light machine guns, 18 units of forensic microscopes and 12,622 units of anti-terrorism equipment, and even a helicopter.

Since August this year, he said the PNP has neutralized 82 gun-for-hire syndicate members and confiscated 35 firearms of assorted caliber.