PRO-7 to police units: Avoid fancy Christmas parties

CEBU, Philippines — The Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 has advised its police offices and units in Central Visayas to avoid fancy Christmas parties, and divert funds to outreach programs instead.

“I think that is a very timely directive because ang atong buhaton is instead of having a party, we could share the food, the gift to those who are less fortunate, atong hatagan tong mga indigents family,” said PRO-7 chief Albert Ignatius Ferro.

Ferro said they are eyeing to conduct a feeding program to the barangays. Aside from this, Ferro said they have started this program over the housing project that provides better shelter to the poorest of the poor.

Just last Wednesday, the PRO-7 has turned-over a newly furnished house to the Alayaay family as a chosen beneficiary of Enrique Villanueva Police Station in Siquijor province. This is in line with PRO-7’s program dubbed as “Balay Mo, Gasa ko.”

“We are encouraging kanang mga kaigsuonan nato na if we have some extra money we could come up with this program of Balay Mo, Gasa ko,” said Ferro.

Ferro added that it is also a way to promote social equity to those who are less fortunate.

“This is also our way of saying thank you to the people who are supporting us, basically if we will (win) their hearts and minds, maundang ang katong mga bisan unsa pa nga mga krimen.  We are not the DSWD, but we are trying our best,” said Ferro.

The turned-over house was the product of the Bayanihan of the PNP wherein the materials were donated by several individuals, while the personnel of the Enrique Villanueva Police Station spearheaded the construction.

Last August 3, the PRO-7 also turned over one house at Sitio Bukid-Bukid, Barangay Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City to the family of widow Emilita Canete, 47, who has five children aged two to 10 years old.

Police Colonel Carlito  Baja, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LLCPO) director, said they were able to meet this family during their relief operation in the area. With the coordination of the barangay, the police learned that Canete and her children were living in a house made of pieces of slabs.

PRO-7 is set to build more decent houses for selected beneficiaries under their “Kapwa mo, Sagot ko” program. — GAN (FREEMAN)