Renovation of CCPO headquarters okayed

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council has approved the Program of Works and Estimates for the renovation of the Campo Sotero Cabahug, headquarters of the Cebu City Police Office.

Based on the POWE prepared by the Department of Engineering and Public Works, the renovation of the CCPO headquarters will cost the city government P2.7 million. The amount is said to cover only minor face lifting of the camp because it would cost at least P10 million for total renovation.

The building located along Gorordo Avenue was built several years ago. It used to be the provincial headquarters of the defunct Philippine Constabulary/Integrated National Police (PC/INP) in 1960s.

Police Regional Office -7 earlier asked the PNP national headquarters in Camp Crame for the rehabilitation of the dilapidated CCPO building, but the request has not been acted upon until now.

The building was later occupied by the Cebu Metro District Command under the leadership of now Senator Panfilo Lacson. Lacson served as Metrodiscom commander for more than two years.

South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña also allocated P5 million during his term as mayor of the city as its donation to the modernization of the CCPO. The amount was not released because of the controversy of the ownership of the lot.

The Cebu Provincial Government owns the lot where the CCPO headquarters is situated. Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia earlier sent notices to CCPO officials asking them to vacate the property.

Aside from the CCPO, the PNP Highway Patrol, PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, PNP Crime Laboratory Service and PNP Medical Services are also occupying the camp. —/FPL (FREEMAN)