BACOLOD City – The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) is raising funds through the contribution of its personnel to assist colleagues who tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“With the directives from the higher office, we are having a voluntary contribution, seed money, for them,” Colonel Romy Palgue, provincial police director, said in a virtual press conference on Aug. 25.
Three Negrense police officers, who were among those assigned to secure the quarantine facilities for returning Negrenses, contracted the viral illness.
“We thank God for hearing our prayers. Of the three, two have fully recovered. The third is on his way to recovery,” Palgue said.
He added that the NOCPPO would also hold the 1st Shoot for Peace: Barilan Para sa Kapayaan tournament to generate more funds for cash incentives and food items.
Police officers who test positive for COVID-19 are required to observe a 14-day quarantine and undergo another test.
Once cleared, they have to rest for seven to 10 more days before reporting for duty.
Palgue also thanked the local government units in this province for their continued support to the Philippine National Police (PNP) by providing food supply, accommodation, and allowance to police officers deployed to quarantine facilities.
He exhorted the staff of the provincial headquarters here and their colleagues “on the ground” to never falter in serving the people amid the challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Hold on and we shall not bog down as we serve and protect the peace-loving Negrenses,” Palgue said.
Records of the PNP Health Service showed that as of 6 p.m. on Aug. 24, a total of 3,506 police officers nationwide got infected with the virus.
Some 2,521 police personnel already recovered from the illness while the death toll remained at 16. (With a report from PNA/PN)
