PNP clarifies security allowance for APEC meetings in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) clarified the issue on allowances of police officers assigned to secure events for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings being held in Cebu the coming weekend.

PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez was quoted as saying that policemen involved in APEC security aspects must receive a daily allowance of P500  while Central Visayas PNP director Chief Superintendent Tom Banas said the allowance is only P150 a day.

There were some police chiefs in other towns in Cebu who claimed the allowance was P250 and P300.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor clarified that the P500 allowance per personnel is the basis for the release of APEC funds for the deployment in Cebu for the APEC meetings. 

“This P500 is comprised of meals, supplies, rentals, and additional support for gasoline and transportation,” Mayor told The STAR.

He explained that the P150 given initially to police personnel deployed for APEC Cebu were provided for by PRO7 over and above the P500 to be given by the NHQ for APEC deployment.

Mayor said the APEC fund is a special trust fund that shall be spent only for a specific purpose. It is not a personal services fund that can be given as cash through payroll like additional subsistence or cash allowances, he added. 

The spokesman said the APEC fund is intended for operational expenses, including the budget for meals of all PNP contingents. Thus, no cash allowance was given for each police officer deployed to secure the meeting.

“Meal allowances are also given in kind (packed meals) and not in cash to establish a system and to avoid disallowance of Commission on Audit (COA) once a report of disbursement is submitted,” Mayor added.