PNP supports proposal to elevate air unit, seeks PHP25B funding

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday expressed support for proposals to elevate its air unit to national support unit status and allocate P25 billion for improvements.

At a press briefing, PNP chief Police General Nicolas Torre III said the organization is studying the cost-benefit ratio of elevating the PNP Air Unit, with maintenance costs ranging from PHP1.9 million to PHP24 million annually.

Napolcom vice chairperson Rafael Vicente R. Calinisan proposed formal resolution to support the modernization and operational needs of the unit, emphasizing its role in rapid deployment and disaster response.

Torre thanked Senator Alan Peter Cayetano for refiling a bill that seeks to allocate P25 billion each for the PNP and Armed Forces over five years to improve infrastructure.

The proposed AFP and PNP Camp Development Fund Act aims to provide long-term funding for facility improvements, particularly camps, to support both police and military forces.