ILOILO City – Citing peace and order as one of the important components of community development, the city government has been unfailing in extending support to the city police force.
Since Mayor Jerry P. Treñas made a comeback as the city’s chief executive in 2019, the city government has poured P413,076,700 worth of assistance to the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO).
“A good peace and order situation will encourage more investments in the city because everyone feel safe,” he stressed.
Data from the City Budget Office showed the city government was able to extend P54.1-million assistance to the police in 2019; P43.4 million in 2020; P59.4 million in 2021; P216.3 million in 2022; and P33.8 million in 2023.
The support to the city police ranges from motor vehicles (police patrol cars); motorcycles; bicycles; firearms and ammunitions; office supplies; trainings, seminars and travelling expenses; allowances for police personnel; fuel, oil and lubricants; procurement of office equipment and furniture; repair and maintenance of transportation equipment; and rehabilitation or construction of police station and among others.
“This is a priority. A safe city means more investments, which in turn means more thus jobs for our constituents,” said Treñas.
One landmark project centered on making this southern city more safe and resilient is the establishment of the Iloilo City Action and Response (ICARE) facilities in strategic locations.
Four ICARE centers are now operational – the ICARE Command Center in Barangay San Rafael, Mandurriao district; the Esther Jamora ICARE Center in Barangay Ungka, Jaro district; and the ICARE satellite centers in Barangay Calumpang, Molo district and Barangay Balantang, Jaro.
Three more ICARE satellite centers are being constructed in Barangay Nabitasan, La Paz district, Barangay Tanza Esperanza, City Proper and at the Iloilo Business Park (Megaworld), plus another three at the Central Philippine University and in Barangay Bo. Obrero, Lapuz and Barangay Balabago, Jaro.
Through the ICARE Command Center and its satellite centers, the city government aims to establish an integrated response network that would bring emergency safety and disaster management services closer to the people.
Each of the facility houses frontline offices focused on peace and order, security, resiliency, and emergency response such as the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO), police, and fire personnel.
ICPO director Police Colonel Joeresty Coronica said the city government’s support is a big help in sustaining the police’s intensified operation against all forms of criminality, and immediate response to emergency calls or police assistance.
The patrol cars, for instance, strengthen police visibility and capability to patrol the seven districts of the city on a 24-hour basis. This deters criminals and peace and order is maintained.
“We always want to be proactive than reactive,” Coronica stressed.
The recent support that city government extended to the city police was six brand new patrol cars.
These are now being utilized by their mobile patrol unit tasked to conduct police visibility without observing police stations boundaries.
Strengthening the ICPO’s mobile patrol unit to boost visibility is among the commitments of Coronica to the city mayor when he assumed office as city police director early this year.
“So far, as per our assessment and feedback from communities, nakita nila nga nag-improve ang police visibility sang ICPO,” said Coronica.
The city police director also noted that the city government’s assistance boosts the morale of police officers. They are more motivated to perform their jobs well, he added.
“Ang aton city mayor nagahatag sang support as part of his intelligence fund…Gina- reimburse nya ang expenses incurred by our operating personnel units like the CDEU (City Drugs Enforcement Unit) and station drugs enforcement teams,” Coronica noted.
Accomplishment-wise, the city director believes that the ICPO was able to reciprocate the support of the city government through its performance.
“May balik man, sa kampanya palang naton sa illegal drugs makita na kon ano impact sang support na ginhataga,” he added.
Since Coronica took the ICPO leadership, s series of anti-illegal drug operations have been carried out yielding thousands worth of illegal drugs and arresting drug personalities to include high-value targets.
Treñas has always been expressive of his commendation to the ICPO’s accomplishment under Coronica’s leadership.
“I am humbled by that pagdayaw pero ina ang accomplishments iya contribution sang tanan. Perhaps, ang contribution ko being a leader na-motivate ko sila, stirring cops’ enthusiasm sa pag trabaho,” he said.
“We are not resting on our laurels, we should not be content. We level up,” said Coronica./PN
