MANILA – The Police Regional Office (PRO) 4-B (Mimaropa) on Wednesday donated PHP1.2 million in cash aid to help oil spill-affected families in the town of Pola in Oriental Mindoro province.

In a statement, PRO 4-B chief Brig. Gen Joel Doria said the amount came from the contributions of personnel from their headquarters, Regional Mobile Force Battalion, Regional Highway Patrol Unit, Regional Medical and Dental Unit, Regional Forensic Unit, Regional Intelligence Unit, Regional Special Training Unit, and the Regional Drugs Enforcement Unit.

The provincial police offices of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan and the Puerto Princesa City police office, as well as the Directorate for Police Community Relations, also contributed to the cash aid.

Col. Nathaniel Villegas, PRO 4-B acting chief of regional staff, turned over the assistance to Pola Mayor Jennifer Cruz in a simple ceremony at the New Municipal Building in Barangay Bayanan on Tuesday.

In his message read by Villegas, Doria thanked members of the police units in Mimaropa who donated from their own pockets to help the communities severely affected by the effects of the oil spill in the province.

“Nais ko pong papasalamatan ang buong pwersa ng kapulisan dito sa Mimaropa na nagpaabot ng kanilang tulong pinansyal upang maisakatuparan ang ating layunin na matulungan ang ating mga kababayan na labis na naapektuhan ng oil spill dito sa lalawigan ng Oriental Mindoro higit lalo ang bayan ng Pola (I would like to thank the entire police force here in Mimaropa who extended their financial assistance to accomplish our goal of helping our countrymen who were greatly affected by the oil spill here in the province of Oriental Mindoro, especially the town of Pola),” Doria said.

“Makakaasa din po ang ating mga kababayan na ang PNP (Philippine National Police), lalo ang PRO-Mimaropa, ay kaisa ng bawat pamilya na naapektuhan ng oil spill sa pagpapanatili ng kaayusan at pagtugon sa hamon ng pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan (Our countrymen can also hope that the PNP, especially PRO-Mimaropa, is one with every family affected by the oil spill in maintaining order and meeting the challenge of unity and cooperation).”

Pola sustained the most damage from the oil spill caused by the sinking of the M/T Princess Empress off the waters of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro on Feb. 28, which affected 11 barangays, 4,839 families, 24,195 individuals, and seven marine protected areas. (PNA)