P225-M PNP property damaged by Yolanda

MANILA, Philippines - Typhoon Yolanda damaged about P225 million worth of property of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the Visayas.

Director General Alan Purisima has sent teams to assess the property damage and account for all the police personnel in the affected regions.

Speaking to reporters, Senior Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP public information chief yesterday said the figure was based on reports from police commanders in Mimaropa region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga region.

“The final official assessment on the extent of damage to PNP structures is a total of P225,006,703,” he said.

The figure could still go up if equipment and other PNP property would be included in the assessment, he added.

Sindac said the PNP has informed the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) of its possible inclusion in the rehabilitation and reconstruction planning.

“We will have to ask (for more budget)... capital outlay,” he said.

“In fact they (PNP officials) have informed secretaries of the DPWH and NEDA about this, might request to incorporate (concerns) in the rehabilitation and reconstruction planning.”

Sindac said they are still trying to account for two policemen from different units in Eastern Visayas.

The PNP has raised P3.7 million in cash donations and medicine to be distributed to over 3,000 police personnel whom Yolanda had affected.

Purisima, along with other PNP officials, turned over 4,250 individual relief packs to some 3,187 affected uniformed and non-uniformed personnel in Eastern Visayas (PRO 8).

“Each pack is composed of three kilos of rice, canned goods, water and clothes. There was also a set of athletic shirt, camouflage green, combat boots, black and athletic socks, and blankets,” Purisima said.

Some construction materials will also be given to help them rebuild their homes and offices which were also totally damaged, he added.

Purisima said a total of P3.7 million cash was donated by PNP regional offices, national support units and stakeholders including PMA Dimalupig Class of ‘81 (Purisima’s batch), Police Cavaliers Association Inc. (PCAI) and participants of Men Opposed to Violence Against Women Everywhere (MOVE) summit.

– With Rainier Allan Ronda, Alexis Romero