Police seek PHP12.96-M budget to secure Tacloban relocation sites

TACLOBAN CITY, Sept. 7 (PNA) –- The city police office here is seeking a PHP12.96-million budget to build police stations, vehicles, and equipment to provide security to settlers of Tacloban north relocation sites.

Establishing new police stations will require 150 policemen to serve an estimated 80,000 relocated individuals by 2018 and 10,000 existing residents in the area, the Tacloban city police office said in a report to the Regional Development Council.

The proposed budget will cover the construction of a police station, three substations, a patrol car, five motorcycles and communication and office equipment.

“The proposed budget of the PNP main station and sub-stations will be considered in the 2017 proposed budget of the PNP regional office. The local government counterpart will be the lots in the area where the stations are to be constructed,” said Sr. Supt. Rolando Bade, city police chief.

Complying with PNP standard model, a main station building requires PHP4.7 million while a sub-station requires PHP1.3 million budget.

The city government aims to transfer 16,281 families from danger zones in coastal communities to Tacloban northern relocation sites. The timeline is until 2018. As of last month, only 2,000 families have been transferred to their new homes.

The city’s resettlement sites cover 10 villages – Cabalawan, Camansihay, Kawayan, New Kawayan, Suhi, Salvacion, San Isidro, Sto. Niño, Tigbao, and Tagpuro. (PNA)

LAP/SARWELL Q. MENIANO