Zamboanga City - - Problem in police mobility is slowly being addressed with the continuous support being given by the city government under Mayor Celso Lobregat to the local police.
Mayor Lobregat, assisted by members of the City Council and City Hall executives yesterday morning turned over another set of transportation facilities, this time, three multicab vehicles, to the Zamboanga City Police Office through Regional Police Director Gen. Jaime Caringal and City Police Director Col. Lurimer Detran.

The 3 brand new multi-cab vehicles, costing P246,000 each , were the latest donation package released by Mayor Lobregat to the local police this month. A week ago, the mayor turned over 25 bicycle units for the police bike patrol and an 18 horsepower engine pump boat for the use Police Sub-station 11 based in Sacol Island.
A week before that, Mayor Lobregat also turned over to the police, 30 units of hand held radios which were donated by the Zamboanga Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Free and Accepted Masons of Zamboanga.

Mayor Lobregat said the funding for the multi-cab vehicles was taken from the 2008 budget and that the purchase of the transportation facilities is part of the plans and programs of the city under the peace and order and security menu.
“We are not giving these vehicles in response to what is happening now in the entire Mindanao but this is part of the continuing program of the city government to assist the police and Task Force Zamboanga”, the chief executive announced in a press conference that followed the turn over rite in front of City Hall.

Next week, he said, the city will also hand over to the military’s Task Force Zamboanga, transportation vehicles, still in line with the continuing support and assistance program.
The mayor is also closely coordinating with the offices of Cong. Beng Climaco of District I and Cong. Erbie Fabian of District II for the donation of similar transportation facilities to the police.

Cong. Climaco, according to Lobregat is set to turn over to the police through the city government several units of multi-cab vehicles and L-300 vans in line with the lady solon’s peace and security programs.

Gen. Caringal expressed appreciation to the city government through Mayor Lobreat and the City Council for continuously supporting the police through the donation of vehicles. “This will surely add to our capability in terms of mobility”.
On the part of the national government, Gen. Caringal said, the Regional Police Office has issued a new set of uniform to members of the police force, which would complement to the new vehicles and equipment donated by the city government.

“I’m sure this (the new uniform) will make them look good but more than the outward aspect, we also are concentrating on their decorum and activities so we will be sure that they will not be involved in any activities”, the Police Regional Director added. “We are really appreciative of this magnanimity of the mayor and the City Council”.

Assisting the mayor during the turn over yesterday morning were Councilors Lynet Abarro, Lilia Nuno, Rudy Lim, Nonong Guingona, Eddie Saavedra, Cesar Jimenez Jr., Gerky Valesco, Rey Candido, Luis Biel III, Charlie Mariano, Jaime Cabato, Abdurahman Nuno, Joefel de las Penas and Eddie Rodriguez; City Hall Chief Executive Assistant Roseller Natividad and several other officials. (Sheila Covarrubias)