By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – Ten of the 31 police stations in Negros Occidental still lack standard buildings prescribed by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Police Capt. Judesses Catalogo, public information officer of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), said the affected stations are in the towns of Ilog, Moises Padilla, Pulupandan, E.B. Magalona and Don Salvador Benedicto, and the cities of Kabankalan, La Carlota, Victorias, Cadiz, Sagay and San Carlos.
Catalogo said the construction of standard PNP buildings is funded by the national headquarters, with budget allocations varying based on the structure’s design and site requirements.
He added that four local government units (LGUs) recently unveiled new standard PNP buildings, each a three-story facility.
Police Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, regional director of Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), led the inauguration ceremonies in La Castellana and Isabela towns on Tuesday, and in Manapla town and Himamaylan City on Wednesday.
In a statement, Wanky said the new stations are not just physical structures but symbols of the police force’s commitment to service and professionalism.
“It is my optimism that, with these standard police stations, our PNP personnel will be more motivated and confident to serve better,” Wanky said.
He urged police units to maximize these facilities to enhance service delivery and promote community development through effective policing.
He emphasized that the milestone reflects the strong partnership between the PNP and LGUs in maintaining public safety.
During the turnover ceremonies, Police Col. Rainerio De Chavez, Nocppo director, along with the local police chiefs and local chief executives, accepted the symbolic keys to the new stations.
Police Maj. Rhojn Darell Nigos, chief of La Castellana Police, said PHP9.8 million was allocated for their new station, which sits on a 1,000-square-meter lot donated by the LGU in Barangay Robles, near the old station.
Nigos said the old building will be turned over to the municipal government for future use.
He added that the new station will boost police morale and provide a more comfortable and secure environment for both personnel and the public.
The police station is expected to be fully operational by the end of the month.
Police Maj. Joseph Partidas, chief of Isabela Police, said their station was built on a 700-square-meter lot donated by the municipal government in Barangay 4, with a budget of more than PHP9 million.
Partidas said the improved facilities and equipment will enable the station to better serve the community.
