Senator Erwin Tulfo has called on the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to distribute Philippine National Police (PNP) air assets across regional hubs to improve emergency response, rescue missions and law enforcement operations outside Metro Manila.
During the DILG’s 2027 budget briefing, Tulfo said helicopters could provide quicker access to remote locations, including forested areas in Palawan and the Sierra Madre where illegal logging and slash-and-burn farming remain issues.
“Right now, forest rangers have to trek for two days just to inspect illegal logging activities. If the Philippine National Police (PNP) had proper air support on standby, deployment would be immediate,” Tulfo said.
He also cited Metro Manila’s traffic congestion as a reason for strengthening the police force’s aerial capabilities.
“Is there a plan from the PNP to augment air assets for faster response? For instance, there’s heavy traffic in Metro Manila. Mobility will be faster if there are air assets,” he said.
Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito, who chairs the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the proposal and suggested positioning PNP helicopters in regional centers such as Cebu, Davao and La Union rather than keeping most of them in Manila.
The proposed setup could shorten response times for search-and-rescue operations, disaster relief efforts and medical evacuations.
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said drones could strengthen aerial surveillance but stressed that they could not substitute for helicopters during rescue operations.
Remulla recommended acquiring utility helicopters equipped for tactical insertions, winching and medical evacuations, noting that some executive transport-type aircraft currently in use do not have such capabilities.
He also urged a review of the PNP’s aircraft maintenance procedures after three helicopter crashes were recorded over four years involving its eight-aircraft fleet.
Remulla suggested exploring outsourced maintenance services to improve aircraft safety and airworthiness.
Tulfo, meanwhile, expressed support for allocating funds for additional air assets, hangars and improved maintenance facilities.