In keeping with her administration’s formidable legacy on security as she declared in her last State of City Address (SOCA), Mayor Beng Climaco on Sunday turned over brand new motor vehicles— to each of the city’s 98 barangays and the security forces— amounting to nearly P140 million.
The turnover of vehicles was one of the highlights of this year’s Philippine Independence Day celebration at City Hall grounds. Each of the 98 barangays received an Isuzu Traviz with utility van costing the city government P1,298,976.00 for a total of P127,299,648.
The Task Force Zamboanga, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Zamboanga City Police Office also received a Mitsubishi 4×2 pickup vehicle at P1.8 million each for a total cost of P5.4 million, to be used by their respective K-9 Unit.
In giving out the vehicles, Climaco said her commitment to the security sector remains unending even to the last 15 remaining days of her administration.
For nine years, she said the city government has been steadfast in its support to the security sector turning over a plethora of vehicles and equipment in the total amount of P748 million, in addition to the cash incentives and allowances given to every member of the PNP, TFZ, BFP and BJMP amounting to P199 million.
Security related infrastructure projects such as new police stations were also constructed during the period amounting to P249 million, and these various forms of support also redound in the barangay level with the tanod and BINs receiving increased monthly allowances from P1,000 to P3,000, and starting this year the amount has been increased to P4,000 each.
One of the biggest projects of her administration in terms of security was the construction of the ZCPO Building at the back of City Hall which also houses the city’s multi-million peso command and surveillance center equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and digital CCTV cameras and 911 hotline system to man our streets, prevent crimes and enhance crime resolution efficiency of our local police. “This is our formidable legacy on security!” Climaco once declared.-(Vic Larato)