By Jennifer P. Rendon
Citing service efficiency and the growing population, the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) revealed its plan to establish four more stations.
But Colonel Joeresty Coronica, Iloilo City police chief, said that it will still depend on the availability of funds and the approval of the PNP’s higher headquarters.
Under the plan, these police stations will be established in Lapuz district; La Paz district; Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao; and at the City Proper district near the Iloilo City Hall.
Coronica said that some of these police stations could be embedded with the city government’s I-Care Centers.
Once the intended structures for the police stations are available, Coronica said he has to request additional police personnel from the higher headquarters.
A city police station should be manned by around 80 personnel.
He said there are other considerations to be taken into account including additional funding for its station’s Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE).
“But we hope that this would be realized given the prevailing situation since Iloilo City’s population is a little less than P500,000 while its daytime population could be double that number,” Coronica said.
None of the current six police stations of ICPO occupies a standard type B building.
The PNP will construct the building if the lot is donated and that the corresponding documents are in order.
In the case of the Iloilo City Police Station 3 (Jaro), the city government has planned to have it erected at Barangay San Isidro.
However, the area where it will be constructed will be covered by a 30-year deed of usufruct.
Coronica said he is working it out to have it lengthened to 50 years.
While it might still be a long way to go, the city police chief said that the support shown by the local government and the PNP make them optimistic.
