Soon to rise: Bigger Carbon cop station

CEBU, Philippines — Home to about 60 personnel, Cebu City’s Carbon Police Station is among the city’s busiest, being near the two major markets of Pasil and Carbon.

Despite this, the police station has, for years, stood at and operated from a constricted more or less 50-square meter lot in the middle of a crowded neighborhood in Barangay Ermita.

Soon that will have to change.

Mayor Edgardo Labella yesterday announced that the city will allow the Cebu City Police Office to use part of the Warwick Barracks property near the Carbon Public Market for the construction of a new building for the Carbon police.

“We need the Carbon (police) very badly. We have to have that as soon as possible,” Labella told reporters at a press conference at the City Hall yesterday after his closed-door meeting with CCPO Director Police Colonel Gemma Vinluan and some regional police officials.

Labella said he was aghast to know of the current situation at the present Carbon Police Station because of its dilapidated state, despite the fact that Carbon is “a very important landmark of the city.”

He said there is a need to make police stations more presentable as it speaks of “the kind of dignity of our police officers.”

Under the Philippine National Police guidelines, police stations are required to be constructed on lots measuring at least 400 square meters.

Labella said he will ask the City Council to pass a resolution for the deed of usufruct that will allow the police to use portion of the Warwick Barracks. He is also looking at allowing them to use it for 30 years.

He also said he will include the new building’s construction under the city’s annual budget.

Sought for comment, Vinluan welcomed Labella’s support to the police.

“Malaking bagay na nakita ng ating butihing mayor yung initial na panganagilangan ng kapulisan. Mas lalong gaganahan ang mga pulis nating magtrabaho (It’s nice that the good mayor sees the needs of the police force. We are now more than willing to do our jobs),” Vinluan said.

However, Vinluan assured that the city police are doing their duties well even with the limitations they have. — Jebert A. Sarsonas (FREEMAN)