For showing great devotion to duty and service to Manileños, 10 members of the Manila Police District were honored by Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and gifted with P100,000 cash each.
Estrada also bestowed honors on outstanding judges and prosecutors in recent ceremonies at the Manila Hotel in support of the law enforcement institutions in the city.
“We have with us the best of the best from the cornerstone of our justice system: the judiciary, the prosecution, and law enforcement. You all deserve the gratitude and appreciation of our people for your exemplary work,” the mayor said as he applauded the awardees from the MPD, Manila Metropolitan and Regional Trial Courts, and Office of the City Prosecutor.
“I count myself fortunate to have you as my partners in maintaining peace and order in our city, and helping me regain the trust and confidence of investors who are again willing to be part of Manila’s rise as a business and tourism hub,” Estrada added.
The 10 Outstanding Policemen were Senior Supt. Carlito Feliciano, Senior Supt. Amante Daro, Chief Insp. Jay Dimaandal, Senior Insp. Maricel Dalson, SP04 Rezy Bartolome, SPO3s Dennis Insierto and James Poso, SPO1 Marian Esmas, PO3 Ramil Lucero, and PO1 Florence Mary Gumilab.
Each of the awardees received a plaque of recognition and P100,000 cash incentive, the first in the “Manila’s Finest” history, MPD director Chief Supt. Joel Coronel said.
“We were surprised. It was a generous amount. This will go a long way, especially for the rank-and-file police personnel,” the MPD chief as he expressed his gratitude to Estrada.
“With this amount, this will contribute a lot to their financial needs,” Coronel added.
The incentive, he pointed out, will likewise inspire all MPD personnel to do better, especially when it comes to protecting the city and the 1.7-million Manileños.
On the other hand, the 15 outstanding judges and prosecutors received P50,000 cash gift each from Estrada, whom he said, “dispense justice daily with utmost probity and impartiality.”
Since assuming office in 2013, Estrada has been supportive of the city police force. Just two months ago, he procured P20 million worth of brand new firearms for MPD operatives to further improve their firepower against armed criminals and terrorists.
Only last October, the city government also bought for MPD 400 units of Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistols, 60 M4 carbines—a shorter and lighter variant of the M16A2 Armalite assault rifle—and eight Sig Sauer sniper rifles, ammunition, and other necessary gear and equipment.
Estrada also allotted P1.9 billion for Manila’s crime prevention program, which includes P136 million in back allowances of MPD members, and the procurement of 41 new mobile patrol cars and 110 electric personal transporters.
Through a P20-million funding, the mayor also renovated the main headquarters of MPD in United Nations Avenue, the first time since it was built way back in 1949.