PNP Saves Big with Proper Bidding Practices, Buys Add’l 107 Patrol Cars, Drones

After the scandal brought by the questionable purchase of 2,054 Mahindra vehicles costing PhP1.89 billion in 2015, the Philippine National Police (PNP) tightened the reigns on its bidding practices, enabling it to save enough money this year for the purchase of 107 additional brand-new patrol vehicles, PNP officials revealed last Tuesday, October 17.

"It should be worthy to note that with all these regular and supplemental appropriations, the PNP has posted a high 98-percent absorptive capacity or utilization efficiency of appropriated funds," PNP Chief Director General Oscar D. Albayalde said.

"With the able stewardship of the PNP Bids and Awards Committee, we were able to save enough money to buy an additional 107 units of patrol vehicles for our field units nationwide. This is an excellent manifestation of efficiency in managing government resources in line with the good governance and anti-corruption programs of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. We are committed to this kind of efficiency for the best interest not only of the PNP but most importantly of all the Filipino taxpayers," added Albayalde.

The PNP also announced the purchase of around 700 drone units, which are scheduled for distribution to PNP Regional mobile groups across the country. The drones will be used to help police defend against ambush in their operations.

"It's part of surveillance, (especially) for ambush sites. Remember, ambush sites are grounds occupied by enemies. You cannot just enter that unless you will send an advance team. But if you have drones, you can detect these a few meters before reaching the critical area. That is very important. If the enemies see that, they will be distracted," Albayalde explained.

The drones will also be used to monitor rallies and aid in internal security operations.

"In other provincial mobile groups or other regional mobile groups, we do not have drones and it is not a standard to issue drones. Now, around 700 drone units are to be delivered and these will be deployed to various mobile groups. The use of drones in operations such as in rallies and internal security operations will now be a standard," Albayalde told reporters.

The drones, worth PHP56 million and costing PHP80,000 each, are set to be delivered before the end of the year or early next year.