PNP News Releases 2005

COP'S DONATION TO TREASURY IS VOLUNTARY

The Philippine National Police high-command today clarified that the call for policemen to donate one-day's salary to the national treasury is strictly voluntary.

The clarification was reiterated today by PNP Chief, Deputy Director General Edgar B Aglipay, to allay further misimpressions and undue apprehension among members of the police service. “The one-day salary contribution from the PNP is not compulsory but rather a voluntary act of policemen concerned,” Aglipay said.

Aglipay said he has ordered all Police Commanders to disseminate the challenge to members of their respective command to donate the amount to the national treasury as a “patriotic contribution” to help government cope with the current financial difficulties. “In principle, the PNP supports popular calls for different sectors to contribute to our economy by making personal contributions and adapting austerity measures in their respective agencies to reduce government spending,” Aglipay said. “However, the matter of personal contribution remains to be on a voluntary basis,” the PNP Chief clarified.

PNP Spokesman, Chief Superintendent Joel R Goltiao said the all contributions by PNP personnel will be consolidated until December 2004 and turned over to the National Treasury. If all PNP personnel will donate a day's salary, the amount will reach up to P25-million, Goltiao said.

For its part, the PNP has adapted several austerity measures to reduce expenditures. The National Headquarters is already implementing the reduced operating hours of office air-conditioning systems to cut-down on power usage. “This measure is cost-efficient but will not compromise effectiveness of day-to-day operations,” Goltiao.