MANILA, Philippines — To strengthen their relationship with the people within their community, the Gubat Municipal Police Station (MPS) in Sorsogon distribute free bread and coffee at the Gubat public market.
In the photos uploaded by the MPS on their Facebook page Thursday, market vendors, shoppers, and tricycle drivers could be seen lining up in front of a police vehicle to receive free bread and coffee from the municipal police.
Gubat MPS Police Staff Sergeant Bernadetha P. Estiller said that the initiative is a part of their outreach program to build a harmonious local community.
“Kapag medyo nakakaluwag-luwag ang PNP, may grasya na dumating, ‘yun po ay ibinabahagi po namin sa kanila para kahit papaano ay maging maganda ang relasyon namin,” she told INQUIRER.net over a phone interview on Friday.
(When the PNP receives a blessing, we share it with others so that somehow, we can improve our relationship with the people.)
“Kasi minsan, may mga magtatampo sa amin – mga nasisita. Pero hindi po kami kalaban, kami ay nagpapatupad lang ng batas,” she added.
(Sometimes, some people feel bad when we call them out. But we are not enemies, we are just upholding the law.)
Estiller said that they have been regularly conducting the program since around December 2022 and that the initiative came from the police themselves.
“Yung ginagawa po namin na ‘yan, lagi po naming ginagawa sa market area po. Kasi alam naman po natin kung gaano kahirap yung trabaho nila. Para po yung maghapon [na pagod] naman nila, mabawasan naman nang kaunti. Yung iba diyan, baka hindi pa nakakapag-almusal,” she narrated.
(We always hold this activity in the market area. We know how difficult their work is. So at least, we could lessen their burden from a whole day of working. Some of them may not have had breakfast yet.)
She mentioned that they also give bread in schools to children and their parents waiting in the area.
“Yung mga estudyante, yung mga bata, para po hindi rin sila matakot sa pulis, namamahagi po kami ng merienda. So kapag kami ay dumaan sa isang area dito, alam na nila,” she shared.
(We give snacks to the students and the children so that they won’t be scared of the police. So, when they see us pass by their area, they already know.)
As for the budget for the outreach program, Estiller noted that it comes from the MPS and from their own pockets.
“Yun na po ay ‘pag may dumating po sa amin na blessing, yung sobra po, ise-share po namin sa program,” she said.
(When there is a blessing, we will share the extras to the program.)
According to Estiller, it is fulfilling to be part of an effective program.
“Fulfilling. Yung may mapasayang tao. Nakatutuwa po yung ganoon. Yung kahit saan ka man makita, o yung mga kasamahan mo, nandoon yung paggalang dahil sa magandang relasyon ng bawat isa,” she explained.
(It is fulfilling to make people happy. When they see you or your colleagues, there is respect since you have a good relationship with each other.)
“Halos dito po sa amin sa Sorsogon, ‘yan po ang nakagawian namin. Hindi lang po sa Gubat. Ang kapulisan po ng Sorsogon ay talagang nagsasagawa ng outreach program,” she went on, saying that even the police stations in their province usually have academic scholars.
(For almost everyone here in Sorsogon, that is the usual practice. Not only in Gubat. Police in Sorsogon actually conduct regular outreach programs too.)
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