San Rafael:Iloilo A municipal police station in San Rafael, Iloilo, has been upgraded from operating out of an unused gymnasium restroom to a renovated facility, thanks to the Philippine National Police's (PNP) 'Adopt-a-Police Station' initiative.

According to Philippines News agency, the San Rafael Municipal Police Station (MPS) was inaugurated on November 3, led by Police Regional Office Western Visayas (PRO-6) director Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño. The station, which had been using a gymnasium restroom as its office for eight months, now benefits from an air-conditioned facility. Tuaño, who had visited the site on September 13, 2025, noted remnants of a shower hose and sink in the former quarters.

The 'Adopt-a-Police Station' initiative, supported by private sector partners and other donors, aims to improve police facilities, providing safe workplaces for personnel and better service centers for the public. The San Rafael MPS is the first recipient of the program in Western Visayas, chosen for its consistent performance and compliance with key projects like Project Restrict, Trace and Turn-in 3389, and achieving a Gold Eagle Award under the Performance Governance System.

Station officer-in-charge Lt. Francis Carona expressed his gratitude for the new facility during the inauguration, stating that it was an emotional moment. Despite previous poor working conditions, the station's personnel have maintained top performance rankings. Iloilo Police Provincial Office director Col. Bayani Razalan encouraged the staff to remain disciplined and professional, thanking Brig. Gen. Tuaño for his support and concern for police welfare.

Additionally, authorities distributed three patrol vehicles to various police stations, including Estancia MPS in Iloilo, Maayon MPS in Capiz, and the Second Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company. Information and communications equipment was also provided to the Zarraga MPS and IPPO headquarters, with discussions planned for selecting the next beneficiary of the initiative.