Lucena’s village watchmen equipped with mountain bikes

LUCENA CITY, Philippines— Village watchmen in 33 villages in this city have been equipped with 100 units of brand new mountain bikes to help policemen in maintaining peace and order.

Councilor Ramil Talaga, who donated the bikes, said the vehicles would address the lack of transportation of barangay (village) police force during their routine patrol, especially at nighttime.

“The bike is easy to maneuver and has the capability to navigate narrow passageways,” Talaga said.

The bicycles, which were distributed last week, were custom built to withstand the rigors of the daily grind and cost a total of P300,000, according to Talaga.

Small villages received three bikes each while bigger villages were given four units each.

Councilor Marcelo Magadia, president of the local association of barangay chairmen, said the bicycles would also be used as service vehicle of village policemen in the delivery of notices and letters around their respective areas.

In 2008, the Lucena City Police Office also formed a 10-man bike patrol unit, which at present still continues to patrol the city streets.