A city councilor in Zamboanga City has questioned the P50 million proposed budget for the construction of an additional police station in the city.

It was the City Engineer’s Office that proposed the budget for the local government. The LGU believes its existing 11 police stations are not enough to serve its 98 barangays and increasing population.

“Seeing the amount of P50 million for police station, hindi parang sobra namang mahal para sa isang police station lang? Hindi naman to main office, police station lang pero P50 million? City Councilor Joselito Macrohon said.

However, the local government said the new police station is envisioned to be a model police station.

The proposed four-story building will rise in a more than 1,500 square-meter floor area and is expected to have an elevator.

“Itong bagong police station na ito is envisioned to become the standard, gagawing model police station sa Zamboanga. High-tech at compliant sa nakasaad sa Building Code,” city government spokesperson, Liza Jocson, said.

The local government said the proposed budget is justified. Vice Mayor Josephine Pareja said the budget was approved, but all expenses needed for the construction should depend on the plan and design of the building.

“Per request nila, na-grant ng Sangguniang Panglungsod ‘yon, approved but still we will wait kung anong klaseng design ang gagawin. it will always depend on the plan and estimate na gagawin ng City Engineer, if it will not reach the 50 million, hindi kailangang gastusin ang 50 million,” Pareja said.

The local government said the city should have 20 police stations, being a highly urbanized city.