City Hall not withholding police’s logistical support

Cebu City’s Peace and Order Program (POP) Head Kevin Crister Paz admitted the delay in the procurement of P2 million worth of furniture and fixtures for the new Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) building.

In a press conference yesterday, Paz said the request from the police organization was already approved last year.

“Actually regarding that, ato ng gipurchase og balik karon so ang papel ana galihok, gadagan as of now. Kay sa capital outlay man na nato gikuha. So, maybe this year if probably ma-pursue nana kanang mga equipment ug furniture na para sa ilaha, wala gyud na gi-hold,” he told reporters.

CCPO Deputy City Director for Administration Supt. Artemio Ricabo earlier raised the question on the unreleased funds for the P2 million furniture and fixtures for the new building headquarters of CCPO.

Paz said last year’s annual budget was “skin and bones” that is why the city’s request was not given a capital outlay where they can charge the requests of the CCPO.

He said his office is not processing the P2 million worth of furniture and fixtures for it to be given to CCPO.

Ricabo also alleged that the city gives “very limited” fuel allocation for the police cars that are roaming around the city.

However, Paz denied it, saying the city government is only approving the request from the police on their utilization for the month.

He said POP will always ask the police report from last month’s consumption and request for the utilization of this month.

Paz also answered the allegation of Ricabo who said that the city is withholding the release of handheld radios to the police force.

“Actually si Col. (CCPO Director Senior Supt. Royina) Garma gyud ang nagpa hold sa radio because ang iyang ganahan mapangayo ang specifications sa radio nga compatible with Crame because kay ganahan siya nga ma-synchronize ang radio to Crame,” Paz said.

Paz, however, said he cannot withhold the processing of the procurement of 40 handheld radios because the purchase order has been approved already.

He said the 40 handheld radios were given to the peace and order force of the city government, adding that he will just wait for another request from the CCPO on additional handheld radios.

Paz said the city government already gave 60 hand-held radios to the police for the security during the Sinulog 2018 celebration last January. —