Groundbreaking for new CCPO building set

CEBU, Philippines — The groundbreaking for the new building of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) is set next month with a budget appropriation of P50 million.

Cebu City acting Mayor Raymond Garcia confirmed this yesterday, August 8, 2024, after he personally went to CCPO to join the command conference, which he said will be done on a monthly basis.

Garcia said he hopes to strengthen their support for the local police force, initially with the monthly command conference which could be a way to boost the morale of the CCPO, as well as an avenue to lay down his direction and set out strategies to aid the CCPO.

Among other efforts to support the local police, Garcia added, is to start the construction of the new CCPO building, which plans has been laid on the table for three years.

“Dugay na kaayo ni noh, this was three years ago, kahibaw baya ka ang (Guba) hospital, mao man gihapon, ang super health center man gihapon,” Garcia said when asked what caused the delay of its completion.

Currently, Garcia said they are in the process of finalizing the Program Works and Estimates (POWE).

Once finalized, bidding will be set for the construction of the new CCPO building, that will still be located at Camp Sotero Cabahug in Gorordo Avenue, Barangay Kamputhaw, behind the current CCPO edifice.

“By September, you are all invited to the groundbreaking,” said Garcia.

Last March 11, 2024, the Supplemental Budget (SB) 1 that contains the items for the Charter Days bonus for the Cebu City Hall employees was approved.

Councilor Noel Wenceslao disclosed that among those realigned as a source of funds is the development of the CCPO building.

In an interview with The Freeman, Wenceslao, who chairs the Committee on Budget and Finance, said the supposed development of CCPO is part of the other projects that were realigned under the Local Development Fund (LDF) that were not implemented.

He clarified that the realignment of the funds does not mean that the project will not be implemented, but rather just needs a new proposed budget that will correspond to an updated amount.

Wenceslao explained that the CCPO project was established way back in 2015-2016 and prices of materials may vary considering the inflation being felt in the country.

He added that although the budget appropriation may be closed, the project development still stands. He also said that should the same fund appropriation be implemented, there will be tendencies of budget deficits in the project.

Acting Mayor Garcia said the city government has aided the CCPO by giving mobility assets, firearms and ammunitions, thus it is only fitting to also elevate its facilities to enhance the “Cebu City’s finest.”

According to him, the working environment is as important as the field work and the police visibility. He added that the local force should have a conducive working environment to deliver efficient and effective public service.

“We will be the Philippines’ finest,” he said.

Further, Garcia reminded the local police to be on top of the upcoming events and ensure that security measures are well implemented.

Among these events is the holding of the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo, which will take place at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC). This will be participated in by 51 towns coming from Cebu Province on August 25, 2024. — /ATO (FREEMAN)