PNP, SSS sign MOA on police directional signages

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday partnered with the Social Security System (SSS) to strengthen cops' visibility across the metro through the use of standardized police directional signages.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed by the two government agencies as regards installation of more than 100 police directional signages which aims to increase public awareness on the presence of police as these will point the nearest police stations to citizens.

"Now you can see these signages... these will be distributed all over the country. It's made of solid metal to symbolize the lasting friendship and collaboration between the two organizations," said SSS president Emmanuel Dooc.

"This is one of our SSS corporate social responsibility projects that will aim to instill citizen consciousness that crime prevention is everybody's concern," Dooc added.

Dooc said both government institutions are concerned with the "protection of Filipinos albeit different ways."

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde, for his part, welcomed the partnership, saying that this would "provide an effective approach to crime reporting by bringing the police right at the heart of the action."

"We welcome this significant undertaking as we continue to fortify our engagement with our institutional partners for the betterment of law enforcement, maintenance of peace and order and public safety," Albayalde said in a speech read by Police Director Eduardo Serapio Garado of the Police Community Relations.

"Minsan kapag may mga insidenteng tulad ng pandurukot sa lansangan ay hindi na narereport ng ating mga kababayan dahil sa hindi nila alam ang mga teleponong dapat tawagan o ang istasyon ng pulis na malapit sa pinangyarihan ng krimen," Albayalde added.

The PNP chief also said the cooperation between the two agencies would be a proactive measure so that policemen can immediately act on complaints filed by citizens. — RSJ, GMA News