Gov't to spend P170M for PNP's 'Oplan Hilamos'

MANILA, Philippines - The national government has released P170 million for the renovation and rehabilitation of about 1,700 old and dilapidated police stations nationwide, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said Friday.

Roxas said the renovation program, called "Oplan Hilamos", will cost a minimum of P100,000 for each police station.

Police chiefs will be given a "menu" of the things or items they wanted to repair or renovate at their stations, Roxas added.

"Bibigyan sila ng menu kung saan nila gagamitin ang pondo. Halimbawa kung aayusin nila ang bubong, P650 per square meters ang cost, kasama ang GI (galvanized iron) sheet, insulation at support," Roxas said after addressing the 15th anniversary of the anti crime watchdog VACC held at the Philippinea National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

"Kung aayusin nila ang toilet, halimbawa, P1,030 ang isang unit ng kasilyas. Itong P100,000 na ito ay ipagkakaloob sa bawat police station ng sa ganoon ay magiging maayos yung kanyang pinagtratrabahuhan… ng sa ganoon ay maka-expect tayo ng maayos na serbisyo," Roxas said.

He said he expects that the repair on the police stations would improve public acceptance and perception of the office and the personnel manning it.

"The objective is to bring dignity back to the PNP officers' place of work. Para na rin mapanumbalik ang pagtingin ng taumbayan sa mga pulis natin," Roxas said.

"Mahirap 'pag walang pahingahan, walang bentilisayon at walang bubong. Hilamos lang ito, hindi buong structure. Eto ay para magkaroon ng dignidad ang kanilang place of work. The minimum amount will be P100,000 depende sa laki," he added.

The priority police stations would be those which have dilapidated or worn out roofing, toilets, lightings, and paint, Roxas said.