SOME 509 personnel of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) will be deployed Friday, January 20, to ensure peace and order during the 18th edition of the Bacolaodiat Festival celebration in the city.
Lieutenant Colonel Sherlock Gabana, spokesperson of BCPO, said Wednesday, January 19, that policemen from the headquarters and police stations will be deployed in their areas of assignment at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) grounds, the Upper East township of Megaworld Corp. and other subdivisions near the festival sites from January 20 to 22.
“It’s the directive of BCPO director Colonel Thomas Joseph Martir to ensure peace and order during the entire festivity,” Gabana said
Gabana reminded the public to avoid bringing gadgets while roaming in the festival sites and not to leave their houses unattended to avoid untoward incidents.
Odette Ong-Gomez, secretary of Bacolaodiat Inc., earlier said the festivities will kick off Friday with a dazzling grand parade from Megaworld’s The Upper East to the BCGC.
She said the three-day Bacolaodiat Festival will highlight the Year of the Rabbit, which is believed to offer opportunities for contemplation, rest and nurturing of body and soul.
Ong-Gomez said Tsinoys, city officials and students from Chinese schools are expected to participate in the parade.
The Bacolaodiat Festival will also showcase its famous Chopsticks Alley at the BCGC and Megaworld’s The Upper East.
Bacolaodiat, the biggest citywide celebration of the Lunar New Year outside of Chinatown Manila, will also feature the return of the Lantern Street Dance Competition, the Imperial Village and the Chopsticks Alley.*