GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/14 February) — Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Alan Purisima has approved the transfer to nearby Koronadal City of the Police Regional Office 12’s headquarters and other services offices.
Chief Supt. Charles Calima Jr., acting Region 12 police director, said he received a directive from the PNP chief to draw out a plan for the transfer or relocation of their regional offices in Barangay Tambler here to a new site in Koronadal City, the regional seat of Region 12.
“He (Purisima) discussed the matter with me and gave instructions to finalize the details (of the transfer) the soonest possible time,” he said in a statement.
Calima said Purisma wanted the transfer to push through since a budget has already been set aside for such purpose.
Once realized, the police official said the PNP will develop their existing headquarters in this city into a training facility.
Koronadal City Mayor Peter Miguel said the PNP chief decided to pursue the transfer of its regional offices to the area following a meeting last month in this city.
He said Purisima specifically pledged to work out the relocation and personally asked the local government to facilitate the move.
Miguel said the police official requested the city’s assistance in finding a viable location for the new police regional base that would cover around 15 hectares.
The mayor described the impending transfer of the Police Regional Office 12 as a manifestation of the agency’s confidence in the city.
“It is a big boost to the city since the pronouncement was made by their highest ranking official,” he said.
The mayor assured the PNP that the local government will provide all the necessary assistance to ensure the smooth transfer of its regional offices to the area.
Koronadal City was designated as Region 12’s regional center by virtue of Executive Order (EO) 304 issued in March 2004 by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arryo.
EO 304 also sets the immediate transfer of all regional line agencies from Cotabato City, the previous regional center, to Koronadal City.
Region 12, which is also known as the Soccsksargen Region, comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Kidapawan and Cotabato.
At least 40 regional lines agencies have so far fully transferred in Koronadal City while 11 other offices and bureaus have established their satellite offices in the area.
The local government had established a regional center site in Barangay Carpenter Hill to facilitate the relocation of the regional offices. (Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)