73 motorcycles turned over to NCRPO to speed up emergency response

MANILA — A total of 73 emergency response motorcycles were turned over to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Wednesday to help speed up police response in Metro Manila.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said motorcycles are more practical than patrol cars in navigating the capital’s heavy traffic and narrow roads, particularly when responding to emergencies.

“Ang response time kasi, napaka-importante. Dito sa Metro Manila, sa sikip ng kalye at sa traffic, ang police cars not as effective as motorcycles,” Remulla said in an interview at the Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

The motorcycles are part of efforts to strengthen the Unified 911 system, which allows the public to use a single emergency number nationwide.

Remulla said the government chose to invest in motorcycles because they can maneuver through congested roads and reach people faster.

“So instead na spending 10 times more on a police car, we decided to invest on motorcycles na makaka-responde kaagad sa mga tao,” he added. 

The DILG plans to distribute similar motorcycles to police offices in other regions, with additional units to be provided every year.

The initiative is also part of the PNP’s fleet replacement program, which Remulla said has been programmed for the next five years.

He expressed hope that the program would continue under succeeding officials to ensure sustained improvements in police response.