In support for the priority programs of the Aquino administration on transparency, accountability, good governance, peace and order and public safety,   the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will present today its P86.9 billion proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2011 before the House of Representatives' Appropriations Committee.   
 
Secretary Jesse M. Robredo will lead officials of the DILG including its attached agencies, the National Police Commission (Napolcom), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) and the Local Government Academy (LGA), in defending the department's proposed budget during the committee's deliberation headed by Rep. Joseph Emilio A. Abaya.
 
Robredo said the proposed P86.9 billion appropriation  is 32 percent higher than this year's budget of P65.6 billion, adding that P21.3 billion of the budget  represents new spending proposals for personal services, maintenance and operating expenses, and capital outlay.
 
The lion share goes to the interior sector, which is proposing a P84.2 billion appropriation, while the local government sector is proposing P2.6 billion.
 
Robredo  explained that of the amount  P74.6 billion will be allocated for personal services, P10 billion for MOOE and P2.2 billion for capital outlay.
 
By agency, the proposed budget allocates P69.4 billion for the PNP, which is 39% higher than the current year budget of P49.8 billion; P7.2 billion for the BFP, which is 12% higher than this year's appropriation of P6.4 billion; P5.1 billion for the BJMP, which is 15% higher than this year's budget of P4.4 billion; P2.5 billion for the Office of the Secretary, which is 9% higher than the current budget of P2.3 billion; P1.3 billion for the Napolcom, which is 2% higher than the 2010 appropriation of P1.2 billion; P1 billion for the PPSC, which is 8% higher than this year's budget of P993.3 million; and P105.1 million for LGA, which is 20% higher than this year's appropriation of P87.2 million.
 
“Our proposed budget comes with an assurance and commitment that it shall be judiciously spent to realize our various plans, programs, projects and activities for both the interior and local government sectors, the impact of which shall be felt by and bear fruits for the citizenry,” he pointed out.
 
Robredo said that next year's budget will be utilized to bankroll the implementation of programs and projects focus on empowering accountable local government units. maximizing volunteerism; intensifying people's engagement in local governance; deepening stakeholdership; strengthening the DILG-Civil society, private sector partnership in enhancing transparency; better maintenance of peace and order and public safety; and enhanced DILG internal governance system.
 
“Our resolve to open ourselves to reform and changes that are in accord with what we demand from our LGUs, local officials and people would make us more responsive, transparent and accountable to our people and would undoubtedly inspire them to walk us in the path towards good governance,” Robredo added.
 
He further explained that through the proposed budget new programs will be implemented at the local government sector, such as:  the P500 million performance challenge fund; P40 million provision for enhancing LGU capacity on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction management; P10 million provision for CSOS/People's participation partnership program; and the P10 million provision for Manila bay clean up.
 
At  the interior,  PNP's  proposed appropriation will pave the way  for the recruitment of additional 3,000 Police Officer 1, procurement of additional 15,000 short firearms, additional procurement of 350 patrol jeeps and 365 motorcycles, procurement of 1,844 communication equipment.
 
The recruitment of additional police officers will improve the police to population ratio at 1:661 bringing close to the ideal ratio of 1:500, thus increase police visibility particularly in crime-prone areas, while the procurement of additional vehicles will boost the percentage fill-up from 45% to 50%.
 
Likewise, with the PNP facing a shortfall in police stations, as it owns only 717 out of the 1,745 nationwide, the construction of 15 additional stations will tremendously reduce the current shortfall to 42 %.
 
On the other hand, the BFP, will intensify its recruitment of additional 500 Fire Officer 1; acquisition of additional 500 sets of personal protective equipment and gear, and additional 242 units of self contained breathing apparatus, while the BJMP will utilize its appropriation in the recruitment of additional 500 Jail Officer I; the procurement of additional 575 short firearms, and procurement of additional 500 probatons.
 
The recruitment of additional officers at the BFP and BJMP will improve the current firemen to population ratio of 1:5,808 to 1:5,315, as well as the custodial ratio of jail officers from 1:48 to 1:45.  The fire bureau's procurement of additional protective equipment and gear will contribute to the efficiency of the firefighters in responding to fire incidents thereby saving precious lives and properties.  
 
For the PPSC, a total of 533 required classes with 25,990 participants for education and training courses will be offered next year, continuing further the education, training and professionalization of peace and public safety officers and personnel of the uniformed sectors of the department.   ###