By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – After nearly five decades, the Silay City police in Negros Occidental have moved to their own standard Philippine National Police (PNP) building, located in Barangay Mambulac.
Police Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, director of Police Regional Office (PRO)-6, along with Police Col. Rainerio De Chavez, director of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), Mayor Joedith Gallego, and Police Lt. Col. Mark Anthony Darroca, Silay police chief, led the inauguration of the new Silay Component City Police Station on Friday. The project cost PHP21 million.
In a media interview after the event, Darroca said the project came to fruition with the support of the local government unit (LGU) and the PNP national headquarters. He noted that PHP16 million was allocated by the PNP higher headquarters, while the city government contributed PHP5 million.
“This is a game-changer because the mayor immediately agreed to shoulder the remaining amount needed to push through with the project,” Darroca said.
He expressed his gratitude to the mayor and city officials for their support, including the donation of a 2,500-square-meter lot, which has already been transferred to the PNP.
The new two-story police station includes a roof deck and several offices. It is fully furnished and will be operational by next week, according to Darroca. Construction began in February 2023 and was completed ahead of schedule.
The old police station, located in Barangay 1 about 300 meters away, will be used by some government offices once the city market is demolished.
Darroca said the new station will ensure improved quality of service, better accessibility, and a clean and safe environment for the Silaynons. He also shared plans to add a firing range, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) barracks, and staff quarters to the compound, which will require additional funding and be implemented within three years.
Currently, two container vans are being used as offices to handle traffic-related concerns and issue police clearances.
Mayor Gallego acknowledged the challenges faced during the lot donation and construction phases but expressed pride in the project’s successful outcome. “This is a symbolic event for the city of Silay, and we are thankful,” he said.
In his speech, Wanky shared his vision to establish an operations center in Silay City. He emphasized the effectiveness of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in solving 99 percent of street crimes.
“We want to be like other police stations that are equipped with advanced technology to monitor major thoroughfares and crime-prone areas through CCTV,” Wanky said. He has been requesting funds for the creation of the operations center, which he described as his “dream for Silay.”
He added, “If we want to provide the best services to the people of Silay, we have to continuously enhance our capabilities.”
Wanky also highlighted the evolving nature of traditional and cyber-related crimes, stressing the need for the police force to adapt to these challenges.
