The Japanese government has donated some P39 million worth of disaster response equipment to the Philippine National Police (PNP) in a bid to improve the disaster response capability of the police force.
PNP Chief Police General Guillermo Lorenzo T Eleazar said the donation will greatly improve the capability of the PNP, noting that policemen are usually being tapped for rescue, relief and other disaster-related operations.
"I would like to express our sincerest gratitude to the Government of Japan for their continuing support to the Philippine police force. We are very grateful for the outpouring of support to our personnel to effectively and timely give response during natural calamities and disaster," said Eleazar.
Eleazar personally accepted the donation from Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa, Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines in a ceremony at Camp Crame on Monday morning.
The donated vehicles and equipment includes three units each of Rescue Vehicle, Water Purifier, Portable Movable Toilet, Collapsible Tent, Lighting Apparatus, Life Boat, Personal Rescue Equipment, and Search Sound Detector intended for search and rescue operations.
The donation is part of the Japan's Non-Project Grant Aid for the Provision of Japanese Disaster Reduction Equipment.