The Marikina City government and the Philippine National Police (PNP) launched on Thursday, Dec. 16, the Marikina River Patrol (MRP) that will secure the people visiting the river.
The MRP is a joint project of the city government and the PNP which aims to boost the city’s disaster preparedness and maintain public safety along the 11-kilometer Marikina River Park.

“Dahil sa requirement ngayon sa mobility at ng strict restrictions on the venue limitation na mayroon tayo under Alert Level 2, mayroong mga tao ang gumagamit ngayon ng ating river park area. Kaya napakahalaga na gawin natin itong ligtas para sa kanila (Because of the strict requirements and restrictions on mobility and venue limitations under Alert Level 2, the river park area is frequented by visitors. That is why it is important we make this area safe),” said Mayor Marcy Teodoro during the MRP launch.
The PNP and the city government’s Rescue 161 (MR161) have been conducting interoperability training as the two will serve together as elements of the MRP.
Furthermore, the city government donated two motorboats for fluvial rescue operations, while private donors gave three all-terrain vehicles that will be used to patrol the Marikina River Park.
Teodoro is also planning to establish a headquarters for the MRP in the area.
“We are thinking of building a bigger number of motorboats or rescue boats. Ang isa pa naming gusto sanang ma-accomplish ay magkaroon ng isang (One more goal we hope to accomplish is the implementation of a) permanent area we could identify along the 11-kilometer stretch that will serve as headquarters for the river patrol,” added Teodoro.
The MRP launch was held at the Marikina Roman Garden on Riverside Drive in Barangay Jesus De La Pena. It was attended by Mayor Teodoro, Marikina Police Chief Benliner Capili, and National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief Vicente Danao.