IN ANTICIPATION of significantly increased traveler activity for Holy Week, the Police Regional Office in Negros Island Region (PRO-18) and the Philippine Coast Guard in Bacolod City (PCG-Bacolod) are going on a state of heightened alert.
Chief Superintendent Conrado Capa, director of PRO-18, said that “Oplan Semana Santa” is already in place among all police units in Negros Island Region.
All units would continue with their operations and anti-criminality campaign during the observance of the Lenten season, Capa said.
Policemen are scheduled to be deployed in terminals and sea ports to improve security.
Capa also said that police chiefs would inspect terminals, ports and other strategic public places where people converge to make sure the region would remain safe and peaceful.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Commander Ramil Palabrica, head of PCG-Bacolod, said on Monday, March 21, that 60 Coast Guard personnel were deployed to different ports in Negros Occidental to ensure the safety of vessel passengers.
The PCG would strictly monitor vessel boarding to prevent overloading, he said.
“We also put up assistance desks in different ports to accommodate passengers’ complaints,” Palabrica added.
The Coast Guard chief said his office was intensifying inspections of passenger baggage and conducting visibility patrols. (With reports from MPE)