A TOTAL of 816 security personnel will be deployed today to various areas of Bacolod City to ensure the peace and order of the 15th Bacolaodiat Festival from January 31 to February 2.
The send-off ceremony, held at the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Headquarters in Barangay Singcang-Airport yesterday afternoon, was led by its director Colonel Henry Binas, Odette Ong-Gomez, chairperson of the 2020 Bacolaodiat Festival, Jennifer Gochangco-Ong, treasurer of Bacolaodiat Inc., Bureau of Fire Protection, Maritime Group, Philippine Army, and Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO).
Binas said they received a total of 400 augmentation personnel from the Police Regional Office-Western Visayas.
He said more policemen will be deployed to the festival sites at Lacson Street and Bacolod City Government Center (BGC).
“As much as possible, let’s prevent the crime incidents. We should maintain the peace and order,” he added.
The security personnel include the members of the Philippine National Police, Maritime Group, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Philippine Army, and force multipliers.
Binas also reminded the security personnel to behave properly during the festivity as well as the festival goers to be vigilant and avoid wearing expensive jewelry in public.
BCPO is also implementing the citywide gun ban starting today until February 3.
Binas said the festival will end on February 2, but the gun ban will end 12 a.m. of February 3.
He said that during the gun ban, only the members of the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement agencies in agency- prescribed uniforms who are performing official duties will be allowed to carry firearms.
“The objective of this year’s security plan is to have a ‘zero major incident and all police station commanders were also directed to intensify their check operations within their areas of jurisdiction,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ong-Gomez said there will be an opening of Imperial Village at the Bacolod Government Center at 3 p.m. today, then it will be followed by a motorcade with the city officials, private companies, and the Chinese schools towards Bacolod public plaza and Lacson Street.
She said on February 1, there will be a conferment to Dr. Andrew L. Tan as adopted son and honorary mayor of Bacolod City, lantern dance competition, and fireworks.
On February 2, there will be a lantern dance repeat performance, lunar music fest, and Megaworld Night.
“We’re inviting everyone to join the Bacolaodiat Festival. This year, we are going to celebrate the year of the ‘metal rat’,” Ong-Gomez said.