Cops to have own recreation center

Soon, the 17,000 men and women of the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) will no longer have to spend big bucks for recreation.

Metro police chief Deputy Director General Avelino Razon Jr. led yesterday the groundbreaking for a P5-million multi-purpose building which will rise at a 3,000-square meter lot at the regional headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig.

Razon said the first floor of the building will house bowling lanes, badminton courts, basketball courts, a table tennis area, a gymnasium, a stage, a billiard hall, a barber shop and a canteen.

The second floor will be used as a mini-conference room.

With the construction of the NCRPO multi-purpose complex, officers and members of the Metro Mania police can enjoy recreational activities and sports right at the police camp.

"Hindi na kailangan pang gumastos ng malaki ang mga pulis natin para lamang makapag-relax. Dito na mismo sa loob ng Camp Bicutan ay maaari na silang maglibang," Razon said.

Razon said officials and their men can now share time together even after office hours, "which would surely build strong friendships and camaraderie.

The NCRPO chief personally thanked Reps. Allan Peter Cayetano of Pateros-Taguig; Rufino Biazon of Muntinlupa City; Del de Guzman of Marikina City; Ernesto Nieva of Manila; Vincent Crisologo of Quezon City and Oscar Malapitan of Caloocan City for donating the seed money for the construction of the building.

The building will be constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the First Metro Manila Engineering District under the supervision of Chief Inspector Vicente Dalida of the Regional Engineering Office.

Razon said the cost of the building will be shouldered by the DPWH and the six congressmen from Metro Manila. The first phase of the construction of the building will start on Oct. 15.