LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. through his son and namesake Provincial Liga ng mga Barangay president Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III expressed thanks to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) under the leadership of Secretary Mar Roxas for the awarding of 44 patrol cars to Pangasinan towns as part of the national government’s PNP Modernization Program.
In the awarding ceremony held at the Pangasinan Provincial Police Office headquarters recently BM Pogi said that the Mahindra patrol cars, which were awarded to each of the 44 local government units (LGUs) in Pangasinan, will serve as a welcome development that will further boost the peace and order program at the local level.
Negros Occidental Representative Jeffrey Ferrer, who came in lieu of Secretary Roxas said that the national government wants to fully implement the Daang Matuwid program via different endeavors to include the modernization of the police force.
Ferrer, who chairs the committee on public order and safety and is one of the authors of the PNP modernization program along with Pangasinan 2nd district representative Leopoldo N. Bataoil disclosed that after long years of oblivion it is rightful to modernize the police force.
Stressing that peace and order ranks among the topmost priorities of the present administration, BM Pogi said that the PNP Modernization Program is truly noteworthy.
It can be recalled that in 2013, the national government has released a total of P2.86 billion to cover the hiring of 7,439 non-uniformed personnel, the procurement of 1,400 patrol jeeps, 13,597 long firearms and 4,997 mobile radios among others.
Out of the 1,400 patrol cars, a total of 500 were already turned over to various LGUs in the country while 900 more are scheduled to be distributed.
The blessing and turnover program was attended by DILG Undersecretary Edwin
Ragus Enrile, regional police officers led by Senior Superintendent Benjamin T. Hulipas, and the chiefs of police and mayors of the 44 Pangasinan towns.
Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent Rolie Saltat, OIC-Pangasinan PPO, said that the distribution of patrol cars is part of the PNP’s Oplan Lambat Sibat project that was launched to lower crime rates throughout the country.
By Dexter A. See
