A HOUSE-approved Philippine National Police (PNP) Reorganization Plan is making sure that females will form a major part in the 227,000-strong organization’s peacekeeping efforts by further increasing the quota requirements for female officers of the force, the Journal Group learned.

Proposed by the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management headed by Major General Robert T. Rodriguez, the move calls for a gradual increase in the number of slots being given to female PNP officers as the PNP leadership greatly acknowledges their contribution to the effective law enforcement activities of the organization.

“Female police officers contribute to the improvement of law enforcement effectiveness. Their presence in the police organizations are acknowledged to contribute building community trust and reduce the incidence of sexual and gender-based violence,” the PNP-DPRM said.

According to PNP Director for Plans, Maj. Gen. Bernard M. Banac, the proposal will mean that within the next five (5) years, there will be an increase in the reserved quota for women to 15 percent of the PNP’s annual recruitment, training and education quota and it shall be further increased to 20 percent thereafter.

The House Committee on Public Order and Safety chaired by Laguna (1st District) Representative Dan S. Fernandez has approved the proposed reorganization plan of the police force, Banac told the Journal Group.

According to the official, the House Committee on Public Order and Safety has adopted the report and draft bill prepared by Technical Working Group chairman, retired Police General-turned Antipolo City (2nd District) Rep. Romeo M. Acop.

“It will be presented during the plenary sessions of the House of Representatives. Hopefully, it will be categorized as Priority Bills and certified as urgent by both Houses,” said the official who has been commended by PNP chief, General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. for doing an excellent job in Congress.

Maj. Gen. Banac, a former PNP spokesperson who also became a PNP Training Service director and Police Regional Office 8 commander in Eastern Visayas said they have received the full support of House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and Senate President, Senator Jose Miguel ‘Migz’ F. Zubiri in their bid to further reform the 227,000-strong police force and improve its ‘move, shoot, communicate and investigate’ capabilities under the administration of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr.

The proposed PNP Reorganization Plan calls for the adaptation of the current structure of the Philippine National Police (PNP) including the pay and allowances of PNP personnel, amending for the purpose Sections 25,26,29,30,31,35, 36 and 67 of Republic Act No. 6975 otherwise known as the ‘Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990,’ as amended and Section 32 or RA No. 8551 otherwise known as the Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998 and appropriating funds therefor.

The role of policewomen in the country’s development has been widely recognized. As proof, as the country observes the National Women’s Month, five young Filipinas recently made history as they were among the Top 10 graduates of the PNP Academy ‘Masidtalak’ Class of 2023 honored by President Marcos.

The five are new Jail Lieutenant Mary Louise Moyano, new Police Lt. Claire Gean Pambid, Gezelle Sadian and Kimberly Cruz and new Fire Lieutenant Gillian Torlao.

Moyano who joined the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology emerged as the Top 3 in her Class while Pambid, Sadian, Torlao and Cruz ranked 5th, 6th, 7th and 10th respectively. Pambid Sadian and Cruz joined the PNP while Torlao, who also received an award for being the Best in Forensic Science and Best in Laws and Jurisprudence, joined the Bureau of Fire Protection.

A total of 34 females graduated as members of the Class. Of the 174 male members, five were among the Top 10 too.

President Marcos called on members of PNPA Class 2023 led by their topnotcher, newly-commissioned Police Lt. Francis Geneta of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro “ to be catalysts for restoring public trust” in law enforcers by being just and morally upright.

“I also ask you to be catalysts for restoring public trust in the PNP, and to be recognized as protectors and defenders of peace, order and human rights,” the President told the 208 graduates.

Of the 208 members of the Class, 186 led by Geneta joined the PNP while 11 each joined the BFP and the BJMP.

The emergence of the five PNPA cadettes as among the Top 10 students of PNPA Class 2023 came as the PNP headed by Gen. Azurin said it is paying tribute to its female personnel and promoting an honest-to-goodness gender equality program amid the observance of the National Women’s Month

Gen. Azurin said they are recognizing the invaluable contribution of women to the society including their female counterparts, many of them now holding key positions in the 227,000-strong force.

Of the total 229,623 personnel complement of the PNP that include PNP Cadets and Non-Uniformed Personnel, 21.51 percent or 49,400 are women.

The PNP Officer Corps is also composed of 2,820 policewomen or 17.87 percent of the total. The female officers are currently assigned to leadership positions in different levels of the organization.

In October last year, the PNP welcomed its first-ever all-women recruit class composed of 150 female police recruits. They are now undergoing the Basic Recruit Course and are expected to report to their assigned units upon completion of training.