K9 unit for Cocpo sought

THE  City Council committee on public order and safety chaired by Councilor Romeo Calizo during its recent meeting discussed the procurement of K-9 dogs by the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo), and the institutionalization of the K-9 unit.

According to a Cocpo representative, the proposal was temporarily put on hold due to the death of former Cocpo director  Col. Nelson Aganon last month.

“But this has to be continued, since this has been appropriated in the Supplemental Budget that has been approved already. Somebody from Cocpo should take care of that, to join the procurement process so that it will be pushed through,” Calizo reiterated.

The City Budget Office already released the budget for the purpose in the total amount of P3,500,000 in May, this year. This will cover the purchase of seven K-9 dogs and other supplies and expenses like feeds, grooming and vitamins and Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses.

“Gahulat na lang mi sa Purchase Request nila,” informed the representative from the City Budget Office.

Cocpo may go to the CBO for guidance particularly on how to go through the procurement process, she added.

The City Accounting Office said  appropriations for next year should also be prepared.

“Kay kung ma purchase nato ni now, naa sya’y appropriation for the feeds, what about (for) the next year? Dapat magahinan nila sa ilang budget para maapas nila sa budget hearing,” the representative pointed out.

The councilor explained that the negotiation with PNP Regional Office-10 should have been done already.

“PNP should have its counterpart MOOE for this. It is my assumption that you have already coordinated with the regional office kay di man mo pwede modiretso sa national headquarters so ipaagi gyud na sa regional office,” Calizo added.

Discussions on the matter will continue on Aug. 14. (sp)