PNP Staff House Open in Boracay Island: A testimony of a genuine vision turning to reality

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Police Major General Jesus D Cambay Jr., PNP Director for Comptrollership, together with Brigadier General Leo M Francisco, Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 Director, led the blessing of the PNP Staff House on April 11, 2023, at Sitio Bantud, Boracay, Malay, Aklan.

Lieutenant Colonel Mark Virgil J Ibardolaza, PRO-6 Pastoral Officer, officiated the ceremony.

This transient facility was something that Major General Cambay Jr. envisioned to be a shelter to every police officer while in Boracay.

As a background, when former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte ordered the closure of Boracay Island on April 26, 2018, PRO-6 came into action with the creation of Metro Boracay Police Task Force.

A 560-member police force from Iloilo, Capiz, and Negros Occidental went to the island to attain the government’s goal of zero major incidents during the rehabilitation phase.

But police deployment encountered a stumbling block while giving service to the people – their billeting or accommodation on the island. Since most of them are not from Malay or Aklan province, they had to rent expensive rooms in areas occupied by illegal settlers.

With the desire to serve those who served, a plan to build a transient house and barracks was raised. What followed was the conceptualization of the Metro Boracay Police Task Force’s self-help project, or the PNP Staff House.

The project aimed to provide a temporary roof not only to MBPTF personnel but to their visiting family members.

But plans for building a transient home would not have taken shape if not for the benevolence of Mr. Leonard Tirol, the lot donor.

The project’s initial funding was sourced from the proceeds of the 1st MBPTF Shoot Fest. A fun shoot was held at Ilig-iligan Beach to raise funds for the PNP Staff House.

Through that initiative, the construction of the PNP Staff House started. Major General Cambay Jr. did not stop there. He presented the issue in almost every coordinating meeting.

This again elicited another positive response from Boracay Tubi System. Inc., which provided cement for the building’s construction.

Another fundraising activity was the holding of the 1st MBPTF night, dubbed as “Gabi ng Pasasalamat” with the stakeholders. The proceeds from the activity were used to supplement the project. One thing led to another until the MBPTF Housing had its groundbreaking ceremony on July 30, 2018.

More blessings poured in. Through former Mayor John Yap, Jemmie Nee Chua of San Miguel Corporation donated Php900,000. Then PRO6 Regional Director Brigadier General John Bulalacao also initiated another funshoot activity from November 21 to 25, 2018 for the benefit of the construction.

Major General Cambay Jr. left PRO-6 with the barracks still under construction. But it didn’t stop him from closely monitoring the AOPB relative to the PNP Staff House and making sure funds are properly allocated.

In the span of time, PNP personnel can now enjoy the fruit of their leader’s commitment, dedication, and labor looking into the welfare of its personnel. The completion of PNP Staff House was finally achieved under the leadership of Police Brigadier General Leo M Francisco, the current PRO6 Regional Director.

The blessing activity was attended by other members of the PRO6 Command Group, Personal and Special Staff, officers of the Malay Police Station, Aklan Police Provincial Office, Local Government Units (LGUs), and other stakeholders.