CAGAYAN de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez on Monday called on the committee in Congress to restore the priority needs of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) that were slashed from its proposed 2023 national budget.
During the committee hearing, Rodriguez even moved for the approval of DILG’s proposed budget of P296 billion for the Philippine National Police to acquire vehicles and equipment.
Earlier, Rodriguez attended the budget hearing of the DILG last September 1, where here raised the concerns of different attached agencies under the DILG in Cagayan De Oro City.
Rodriguez asked the PNP to fund city police cars, communication equipment, and the acquisition of a lot.
He pointed out the need for P30 million required to purchase the lot currently occupied by the PNP Headquarters (Maharlika) in Barangay Carmen, in this city.
As a response, PNP Chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. promised to coordinate closely with DPWH-10 for the funds needed to complete the PNP-10 headquarters in Camp Alagar.
Rodriguez, as a member of the Regional Advisory Group for Police Transformation Development (RAGPTD), requested the PNP chief to allocate necessary funds for the establishment of a P29 million communication system that would link all borders of Northern Mindanao, including the provincial, municipal, and city police offices and all police stations to the regional office in Cagayan de Oro City.
He further requested 5 additional police cars for Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) which will be distributed among the following PNP units such as the city mobile force, mobile patrol, traffic unit and 2 for the regional headquarters.
“General Azurin committed to providing the cars as requested,” said Rodriguez.
Rodriguez likewise called on Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Chief Allan Iral to provide 2 additional prisoner cars for the Lumbia Jail to provide sufficient transportation for the increasing number of inmates.
Director Iral positively responded to this request, according to Rodriguez.
Meanwhile, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Chief Louie Puracan committed to giving 2 brand new firetrucks to be given to fire stations in the different barangays in the city with completed fire stations.
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
