DBM Releases P942M to Increase PNP Force

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P942 million to the Philippine National Police (PNP) to fund the hiring of additional 3,000 police officers that will help address high crime rates.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the funding is part of the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund from the 2014 General Appropriations Act, adding that the new police personnel will be deployed to communities with high crime rates and increased police visibility.

The Budget secretary said “Ensuring sustainable peace and order in the country is essential, especially if we want to achieve rapid and sustainable economic growth and inclusive development.”

Reports said the new fund aims to increase the PNP’s force to a total of 149,535-strong police officers committed to enforce the law, as well as prevent and control crimes with the support of their communities.

According to Abad, the funds were released after the release of appointments of these police officers in December last year.

Reports said the PNP has requested for their pay, allowances and other benefits. The PNP’s original request for hiring personnel amounted to P59.96 billion, but the rest of the budgetary requirement was supported by the regular allocation of the PNP for 2014, the report stated.

Abad said vital reforms in the bureaucracy needs investments for additional personnel in all government agencies and institutions.

 Source: Business Mirror