PNP acquires more than 200 new vehicles worth P818 million

The Philippine National Police (PNP) bolsters its fleet by acquiring 240 new vehicles worth Php 818 million. The vehicle acquisition is said to boost the PNP’s operational capability, and visibility, which could be seen as perfect timing as Metro Manila is placed under a more relaxed quarantine classification.  

PNP acquires new vehicles

PNP chief General Guillermo Eleazar said that the new vehicles were procured by the police force’s Bids and Awards Committee using funds from the Capability Enhancement Program 2021. Eleazar shared that the contract price of the new vehicles is Php 818,175,766.  

That said, PNP’s fleet gets an additional 10 utility trucks, 13 shuttle buses, 90 four-wheel drive troop carriers, and 127 police patrol vehicles. PNP spokesperson Col. Roderick Alba said the police force is currently maintaining a fleet of 20,000 ground mobile assets. Alba explained that it represents 53 percent of the required 37,000 units to fully support police operations nationwide.  

PNP chief General Guillermo Eleazar

The 10 new utility trucks are said to be issued to the five Area Police Offices for North Luzon, Southern Luzon, Visayas, Eastern Mindanao, and Western Mindanao. The 13 13 shuttle buses, on the other hand, will be for the Police Regional Offices, and the PNP Academy.   

The 90 units of the four-wheel-drive troop carriers will be distributed to Police Mobile Forces, and Municipal Police Stations with rugged and mountainous terrain. Lastly, the 127 patrol vehicles will be issued to police stations. 

PNP acquires 240 new vehicles

The additional units to PNP’s fleet can help increase police visibility, especially in Metro Manila where it is currently placed at Alert Level 2. The Alert Level 2 means that the movement of people within the capital will be easier, and more establishments can operate. Speaking of which, establishments are now allowed to operate at higher capacities, depending on whether their businesses will be indoors or outdoors.

Establishments can now have a maximum of 50 percent indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals. The said max capacity can also accommodate individuals below 18 years of age even if they are unvaccinated.

The IATF is also allowing establishments to have a maximum of 70 percent outdoor venue capacity regardless of vaccination status. But, workers of the said establishments are required to be fully vaccinated.

Metro Manila is currently placed at Alert Level 2

The 17 Metro Manila mayors have also agreed to lift the curfew hours due to the extended mall operating hours. The lifting of curfew will allow shoppers and mall employees ample time to get home. 

The PNP Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) has also been tasked to assist and coordinate with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) as the 70 percent passenger capacity in Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) has been approved. The PNP-HPG will assist the DOTr in making sure that minimum public health standards are still observed despite the increased passenger capacity in PUVs.   

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