Mayor Rolando Uy led Wednesday the turnover of 10 sports utility vehicles (SUVs) worth PHP18 million to the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO).

Uy said he hopes that the new vehicles will further strengthen good relations with the public and the local government unit, especially in the timely enforcement of peace and order in the city.

“We are open to listening (to what the police may need) so we can add more services to the public,” he said during the turnover ceremony.

The allocation for 10 SUVs were approved by the previous city administration.

Uy said he added eight motorcycles for use of the different police stations under COCPO, which he paid from his personal funds.

Col. Aaron Mandia, the COCPO chief, said the donation reflected the local government’s commitment to prioritize peace and order, “as these vehicles will improve the force’s mobility in responding to reported incidents.”

“It gave us a sense of encouragement in uplifting our morals to better serve the people of Cagayan de Oro,” he added.

Councilor Romeo Calizo, the chair of the Police, Fire and Public Safety Committee, said the SUVs will be distributed to the 10 police stations in the city.

The eight motorcycle units will be centrally managed at COCPO headquarters, he added. (PNA)