By Jennifer P. Rendon
More than a decade ago, the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) envisioned adding four more police stations.
At that time, Iloilo City was a thriving community without the extensive buildings, wider road networks, and growing population seen today.
Initially proposed during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the plan was delayed. However, with the city’s business boom and increasing population, the initiative was revived last year.
On July 2, the plan came to fruition with the formal activation of four new police stations.
Philippine National Police chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil led the ceremony, along with Lieutenant Gen. Robert Rodriguez, chief of the PNP Area Police Command – Visayas; Brigadier General Jack Wanky, Western Visayas police chief; and Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, representing Mayor Jerry Treñas.
The activation marked the start of operations for Iloilo City Police Station 7 (ICPS 7), headed by Captain Joebert Amado; ICPS 8, led by Captain Lester Oliveros; ICPS 9, under Captain Jeffrey Delgado; and ICPS 10, with Captain Nonito Venteroso.
Amado and Oliveros have previously served as chiefs of police in other ICPO stations.
ICPS 7 is located at the I-Care Center in Barangay Tanza-Esperanza, covering 24 barangays with a registered population of around 26,835. ICPS 8, temporarily located at the Bo. Obrero Barangay Hall in Lapuz district, serves 12 barangays with a population of 30,384.
ICPS 9, situated at the Uswag Youth Center in Jaro district, covers 29 barangays with a population of 60,519. ICPS 10, temporarily at the I-Care Center in Gaisano ICC in Mandurriao district, will eventually move to the Iloilo Business Park and covers seven barangays with a population of 25,917.
Currently, ICPO operates six police stations: ICPS 1 at the ICPO headquarters in Gen. Luna St., City Proper; ICPS 2 in La Paz district; ICPS 3 in Jaro; ICPS 4 in Molo; ICPS 5 in Mandurriao; and ICPS 6 in Arevalo district.
Citing service efficiency and population growth, ICPO previously announced its intention to add four more stations. The current personnel complement is sufficient for the 10 stations.
Last month, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 deployed 131 more policemen to ICPO, with 18 additional officers recently assigned.
ICPO Chief Martin Coronica emphasized the need for more stations, considering Iloilo City’s population of nearly 500,000, which doubles during the daytime.
