THE Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office marked the start of the 25th Police-Community Relations Month celebration with a kick-off ceremony held at Kanlaon Hall, Camp Alfredo M. Montelibano Sr., Bacolod City on Wednesday, July 1, 2020.

The month-long celebration was conceptualized to highlight the importance of solidifying the partnership between the police and the community as stakeholders.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Pinaigting na Ugnayan ng Mamamayan at Pulisya, Laban sa Covid-19 Pandemya,” which is timely since the country is still facing the problem brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The activities include poster making contests, feeding programs, mural paintings and online singing contest. All these encourage participation and collaboration with the community.

Lawyer Michelle B Yotoko, Provincial Officer of the National Police Commission (Napolcom)-Western Visayas, was the guest of honor and speaker, represented by Mae G. Diamante, Napolcom provincial administrative assistant of Negros Occidental and Bacolod.

In her message, she explained that in a public health emergency, the police need to quickly coordinate its response with the government agencies and public health professionals, highlighting the importance of the partnership of concerned agencies to combat Covid-19 pandemic.