Pineda to earmark P20M annual intel fund vs crime

BY: Joel P. Mapiles


CLARK FREEPORT --- Governor-elect Lilia “Nanay Baby” Pineda said she is bent on solving the spate of killings and other form of crimes in the province, vowing to provide the intelligence fund of the capitol some P20-million every year to empower and strengthen the Pampanga Police Office.
This developed as Pineda allayed the fears of the business sector, particularly the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PamCham), due to the recent killings of some businessmen and innocent individuals in the province.
Pineda was guest speaker during the 30th general membership meeting of PamCham last Thursday held at the Holiday Inn here.
Pineda learned that the supposed ratio of population per police is 1:1500, but with Pampanga’s present population of 1.9 million, the ratio is 1:1800.
She said there is a scarcity of police officers in the province, primarily due to lack of funds.
But she hopes that through the 100-percent support and cooperation of all stakeholders including the business sectors in her administration, the rising number of criminalities will be cut short.
“Dapat po kayong mga nasa business sector ay kasama ko po kayong lahat para po tayo magtagumpay laban sa kriminalidad (For me to achieve success in my incoming administration, people in the business sector should always be on my side)," she said.
Upon assumption to office, she said she will earmark a P20-million intelligence fund as support in resolving the peace and order problem.
She said her administration will also fully cooperate with the local police, all elected officials from the province, municipalities down to the barangay level to synchronize and unify their efforts in curbing criminalities despite their minimal budget they could give for the local police.

Provincial Budget per year
Pineda said her transition team reported that the provincial budget per year is P1.2-billion. However, most of the budget goes to personal services and capital outlay, which reached to P815 million.

Meaning, minus the P815-million, the provincial government only has P600 million, including the quarry collection of more or less P200 million that will be used for her program on health, education, agriculture, infrastructure, peace and order.
Pineda said she is optimistic that she could deliver her campaign promise with the support of the business sector and all stakeholders.
“Masayang masaya po ako ngayon dahil lahat kayo ay gustong tumulong sa akin. Inaamin ko po na walang mangyayari sa ating probinsiya kung wala kayo (I am very happy that you are all willing to help me, I know that nothing can be done for the province without you),” she added.