MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday said the government plans to hire 30,000 civilian employees in the next two years to fill in the posts occupied by policemen who would be doing field work.
Aquino made the announcement in his speech at the 112th anniversary of Police Service at the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
"Sa naitala po kasing 146,085 nating pulis nitong Abril, nasa 30,000 ang may trabahong administratibo. Malayo po ito sa target nating magkaroon ng 1 is to 500 ratio para sa actual field personnel-to-population ratio.
"Ang ating solusyon: kumuha ng tatlumpung libong non-uniform personnel sa susunod na dalawang taon," President Aquino added.
He said the plan, which is part of the PNP' Operation Transformation Program, will not only increase police visibility, it would also generate more jobs.
The President also highlighted the government's effort to attain the one is to one police-to-pistol ratio before the year ends with the acquisition of 74,879 units of Glock 17 9mm pistol.
"Sa kasalukuyan, nasa 37,578 units na ng Glock 17 9mm pistol ang nai-deliver mula sa kabuuang 74,879 units para sa PNP. Bulto-bulto pang ihahatid ang natitirang baril sa mga darating na buwan, hanggang sa maisara na natin ang ating kakulangan sa larangang ito," the President said.
He said the government has allocated more than P9 billion to improve the operational capability of the police force.
"Iyong short cut po, saan pupunta ‘yan—sa move, shoot, and communicate, o ‘yong pag-increase ng inyong abilidad. Kakalingain kayo ng estado. Madali mangampanya para dagdag ang pagkalinga kung talaga namang tuwang-tuwa sa inyo ang lipunan," he added.