One of the three major concerns of the Department of the Interior and Local Government is peace and order (with local governance and public safety being the other two). Department Secretary Ronnie Puno therefore sees the need to increase the number of men and women in uniform to the tune of 25,000 new police personnel by next year.
That sheer number is expected to increase the capability of the Philippine National Police in maintaining peace and order situation across the country. According to Secretary Puno, since he assumed the spot as the chief of DILG, the PNP welcomed 15,000 new cops. Next year, they expect to field 10,000 more police officers.
During his term, the DILG’s budget also went up by 44 percent allowing them to hire more police officers and public safety officers. Apart from recruiting new personnel, the budget increase also allowed Secretary Puno to approve procurement of equipment like police cars and fire trucks to help the PNP and Bureau of Fire Protection do their job easier. Salaries and pensions of rank and file personnel were also increased thanks to the increased budget. Jail officers were also added to the country’s peace and order force. This year, the number of jail officers is expected to jump to 8,899 from 7,399.
In terms of equipments, DILG has procured 2,445 additional police cars apart from the 28 new patrol boats. The Bureau of Fire Protection’s fleet of fire trucks is now up to 1,790. Prisoner vans also increased by 158 percent from 134 in 2006 when Ronnie Puno assumed the DILG chief position to 346 this year.
These improvements were made possible not only because of the budget increase but also because of the hard work that the people in the Department exerted led by Secretary Puno. And of course, the hard work of the whole peace and order force.
