Res Gestae
Torch Run: Towards genuine transformation
On May 8, the Transformation Torch of the Philippine National Police will arrive in Iloilo City. The Torch will be brought first to Police Regional Office 6 at Camp Martin T. Delgado and, for 21 days, it will be relayed from one police unit to another here.
It is said that the PNP Transformation Torch is the beacon that carries the light symbolizing the transformation program being undertaken by the PNP to turn itself into a more capable, effective and credible police service. As a light turns away darkness, so does the torch inspire, motivate and encourage the men and women of the PNP to never lose hope, press on and run the race towards genuine transformation.
This goal of having a transformed PNP is anchored on challenges that the organization is facing today: It has to transcend its limitations to actualize a safe place for people to live, invest, work, and do business.
Towards this end, the PNP launched its Integrated Transformation Program that serves as its road map for long-term and lasting reforms in the PNP. This ITP has a ten (10) year time frame (2005-2015) which aims to resolve organizational and systemic dysfunction, improve morale and welfare of personnel, and strengthen the law enforcement capability of the police. The Program presents a comprehensive and holistic approach to reform the PNP with its honest-to-goodness assessment of its present institutional framework policies, systems, structures, and procedures.
Considering the present realities of the PNP, I find the ten year frame work for transformation is more ambitious than practicable. Let us review these facts:
92% of the PNP Budget Allocation per GAA FY 2002-2006 goes to Personnel Services, leaving a measly 7.58% for Maintenance, Operational and Other Expenditures (MOOE) and 0.42% for Capital Outlay.
80% of police stations are “informal settlers”, made of inferior materials and vulnerable to enemy harassment and forces of nature.
65% short of mobility assets; 7,815 on hand; 14,524 more needed; 179 police stations do not have motor vehicles.
80% short of aircrafts; only 10 on hand; 41 more needed
76% short of watercrafts; only 36 on hand; 111 more needed
Inadequate supply of petroleum, oil and lubricants
Inadequate communications equipment:
Handheld radios: 2,280 on hand;
Mobile radios: 326 on hand; and
Base radios: 1,885 on hand.
Police stations lack office equipment; some are using old computers if not typewriters; no fax machines
63.16% out of the 128,000 PNP personnel is in dire need of decent shelter.
60% of personnel ranked PO1-PO3 live below poverty line of P13,113 per capita threshold for a family of five
Only 1 tertiary hospital and 16 dispensary clinics provide medical services to 120,000 personnel and their dependents.
PNP General Hospital with old and outmoded equipment and facilities has only 300 bed capacity servicing 120,000 personnel and their dependents; it can only spend P126.00 per capita compared to the P836.00 and P410.00 of the AFPMC and the QMMC respectively.
If I do consider the 10 year frame work ambitious, it is because of those overwhelming facts and figures. But, I don’t intend to say that the PNP cannot double its efforts and maximize its resources to meet its goal within the term.
However, should it fail to accomplish its objectives on time, we will no longer be surprised. We know the reasons.
Send your comments and suggestions to rogatepnp@yahoo.com. My previous articles are available at www.studentsandresgestae.blogspot.com.