THE Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) is beefing up their security measures for the feast of St. John the Baptist on Sunday, June 24.
Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, acting BCPO director, said on Friday, June 22, that police assistance desks will be placed in coastal areas and beach resorts as there will be an influx of people.
Ebreo said they will also deploy more personnel in other areas of convergence like churches for the said occasion.
He also said that they are conducting information drive as part of their awareness campaign and crime prevention measures.
Ebreo, meanwhile, advised the public to be cautious during the said occasion to avoid misunderstandings that can cause untoward incidents.
Moreover, several rescuers will be deployed by the Bacolod Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) to beaches and shorelines in Bacolod City for the feast of St. John the Baptist on Sunday.
Executive Assistant Jose Maria Vargas, cluster head for CDRRMO, said they will be on the full alert status and various private rescue groups will be deployed to various beach areas.
He said last month, a total of 26 lifeguards in Bacolod City completed a five-day training course conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) at the VMA Global College and Training Centers.
The CDRRMO had earlier required all resort and beach owners to send their participants for the training.
Vargas said the rescue team will only concentrate on the swimming areas with no lifeguards, especially in the area of Barangay 35.
He said residents are expected to celebrate the feast of St. John the Baptists and they want to ensure a “zero” drowning incident.
“We are here to handle any emergency and we will also coordinate with the barangay officials to monitor the rivers within their areas of jurisdiction,” he added.
Vargas reminded the beachgoers to always check their children to avoid untoward incidents. (Glazyl Y. Masculino and Merlinda A. Pedrosa)