THE Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) is now on full alert, as it intensifies its checkpoint operations in the city's boundaries in compliance with the Executive Order (EO) 55 to conduct coronavirus disease (Covid-19) mass testing under the "O-Plan: One-Time-Big Time" joint program with the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental and other participating component cities and municipalities and the imposition of the citywide "four-day no movement" period from August 28 to 31, 2020.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Pico, spokesperson of BCPO, said Thursday, August 27, that policemen were deployed to secure the city's outer boundaries along Bacolod-Talisay in Barangay Bata, Mansilingan going to Murcia, Araneta going to Bago City, Circumferential Road going to Silay Airport, and in boundary along Barangay Granada.
He said about 27 inner checkpoints were also placed in various barangays to ensure the imposition of the citywide "four-day no movement" period from August 28 to 31.
"This is not only a checkpoint operations, but we will also conduct a roving patrol in various barangays," he added.
Pico noted that those who are not allowed to go out should stay at home.
Section 3 of the EO states that for the duration of the "O-Plan: One-Time, Big-Time" program from August 28 to 31, people movement into the city, out of the city, and within the city shall be prohibited.
The following exemptions shall be allowed for unhampered movement of any type cargo in bulk, especially that of essential commodities and products; medical cases equipping treatment or therapy at health facilities in the city; Bacolod residents included in the testing population of aforesaid mass testing program; officials of national agencies and commissions, the judiciary, Bacolod City, and the Province of Negros Occidental including all local government units under the latter's jurisdiction; Government employees of Bacolod City, the Province of Negros Occidental and those of other LGUs delivering essential services within Bacolod City; personnel of national government agencies delivering essential services; medical frontliners and health workers of any LGU of the province; drivers of public transportation units with franchises issued by the LTFRB; medics practitioners and printers of emir newspapers; private security guards who need to report to work; priest and religious ministers; personnel who need to report for work at funeral homes and crematoriums; personnel who need to report for work at dining/restaurant establishments whose services shall be limited to delivery and take-out; personnel of hotels, pension houses and other accommodation facilities that serve as quarantine facilities for returning residents of the city and of the other LGUs of Negros Occidental; and personnel who need to report for work at business/ industries classified under category 1-ECQ of DTI Memorandum Circular 20-44 dated July 31, 2020 at the prescribed operating capacity.
Pico also asked for the cooperation of the public to prevent and control the spread of coronavirus disease.