ROAD traffic is the most common challenge faced by the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) in meeting the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) 3-to-5-minute emergency response standard.
Despite this, the MCPO assured the public that its personnel remain capable of responding on time.
In a demonstration of its commitment to rapid and effective emergency response, the MCPO successfully completed a simulated emergency exercise, meeting the response time mandated by PNP Chief General Nicolas Torre III.
The simulation, held Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at the Angelecum Garden of Angels Cemetery in Barangay Canduman, was overseen by MCPO City Director Police Colonel Cirilo Acosta and coordinated with members of the media, who selected the location for the drill.
Upon receiving the dispatch order at exactly 12 p.m., the response team arrived at the site in just 4 minutes and 21 seconds, well within the PNP’s target and despite the usual traffic challenges in the area.
Acosta said this performance reflects the MCPO’s proactive approach to public safety, its continuous training, and its operational enhancements.
“The police force should be within reach of our citizens in any situation. Our goal is to be readily available and responsive to the needs of our community at all times," Acosta said.
To overcome common obstacles like road congestion, MCPO has deployed tactical motorcycle units across key points in the city.
These units are designed to navigate traffic quickly and ensure officers can reach emergency sites even in high-traffic zones.
Acosta also revealed that team patrols and drone surveillance are being integrated into their operations to improve response coverage and situational awareness.
Following the directive of PNP Chief Torre, MCPO has also deployed 90 percent of its personnel to the field, including posts near schools.
Police presence is heightened during key hours: 6 to 7 a.m., 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 5 to 7 p.m., to ensure student safety.
Since January, MCPO has conducted more than 2,200 simulation and communication drills to fine-tune coordination, response protocols, and inter-agency communication.
“These simulation exercises allow us to identify gaps and improve our readiness in real emergencies,” Acosta said.
Through these strategic and technological initiatives, the MCPO aims to maintain a high standard of public service and emergency response for the people of Mandaue. (via Trixcy Shien M. Cobarde, Benedicto College, and Zenn Dee Tejero, CNU Interns)