MANILA, Philippines — Former top cop and now Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is seeking a P130 billion budget for the modernization of the country’s police force.
The proposal is contained in his recently filed Senate Bill No. 2004 known as the “Philippine National Police Revitalization and Capability Enhancement Act.”
In explaining the measure, Dela Rosa underscored the need to “transform” the Philippine National Police (PNP) into a “highly efficient, capable and competent police force in order to fully perform its mandate and to be at par with other police forces around the world.”
“Corollary with the growing population and advancement of technology, crime prevention and policing has been more complicated arduous. In a country with more than one hundred nine million population, the need to modernize and revitalize our police force is indispensable,” he said.
The bill proposes a maximum amount of P130 billion for the proposed PNP’s Revitalization and Capability Enhancement Program which may be implemented for 10 years.
At least P40 billion would be allocated in the first two years of implementation while P11.250 billion would be allotted in the remaining eight years as provided for under the bill.
The proposed budget is on top of the regular appropriations of the PNP.
If approved, the budget proposal would be used for infrastructure and facilities development as well as acquisition and upgrading of equipment of the police force
These will specifically include the construction and upgrading of police stations and offices, crime laboratories, custodial facilities, training institutions, hospitals, barracks facilities, among others, the bill further read.
Also included in the program is the the construction and upgrading and management of ICT systems, procurement and acquisition of modern munitions and ordnance, weapons, transportation assets, as well as a more advance communication, intelligence, investigative and forensic equipment.
“In order to ensure the basic right of every Filipino to have a safe and secure community to live in, the immediate approval of this measure is needed,” Dela Rosa said.
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