ILOILO City – A major boost to police mobility and public safety is underway in Iloilo City as it secures 24 new patrol vehicles through the Department of Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) “Buy One, Give One” program, marking a national-local partnership to improve law enforcement responsiveness.
Under the scheme, the Iloilo City Government will procure 12 patrol units using its own funds, while the DILG, led by Secretary Benjamin “Jonvic” Remulla, will match the purchase with an additional 12 units at no cost to the city.
“This partnership with the DILG allows us to empower our police force with the tools they need to serve more effectively,” said Mayor Jerry Treñas. “These vehicles are not just assets, they’re instruments of public service that will help our police respond faster and serve better.”
The “Buy One, Give One” initiative, launched by Secretary Remulla, aims to encourage local government units (LGUs) to invest in law enforcement by doubling their efforts through matched national government funding. The strategy supports enhanced police visibility and quicker response times, particularly in urban centers experiencing rapid growth.
Mayor Treñas praised Secretary Remulla’s quick approval of the city’s request, emphasizing the value of national-local collaboration in addressing community safety.
“When I personally reached out to Secretary Remulla, he immediately approved our request without hesitation,” the mayor shared.
The initiative also aligns with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Nicolas Deloso Torre III’s mandate to achieve a 5-minute police response time in all localities.
“I have been informed by our City Director, Police Colonel Kim Legada, that the ICPO is currently being benchmarked by other units for its successful implementation of the 5-minute response protocol,” said Treñas.
The outgoing mayor assured that the program will be sustained under Mayor-elect Raisa Treñas, having already endorsed it as a critical agenda item.
“Public safety is non-negotiable, and the people of Iloilo deserve no less,” he added.
Treñas concluded by expressing gratitude to the DILG and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to peace and order: “We remain committed to strengthening our law enforcement capabilities and ensuring that Iloilo City remains a safe, secure, and peaceful place to live, work, and do business.”/PN
