THE Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), under Police Colonel Wilbert Parilla, officer-in-charge, joined Police Brigadier General Josefino Ligan, regional director of the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6), in conducting bike patrol inspections of major transport terminals and wharfs in Iloilo City on April 1, 2026, as part of security preparations for Holy Week.
Ligan said, “Our priority is the safety and security of every traveler. By personally inspecting our transport hubs, we ensure that our personnel are visible, ready, and vigilant, so the public can travel with confidence and peace of mind this Holy Week.” Parilla emphasized, “Safe, but with no compromise on public safety. Bike patrols keep our personnel visible and accessible while helping us save on fuel, and they also promote health as this serves as exercise.”
The activity is part of the Philippine National Police’s Ligtas Sumvac 2026, which runs from March 29 to April 5, 2026, aimed at ensuring safe travel and maintaining peace and order during the Lenten season. The initiative also responds to rising fuel costs by promoting cost-efficient and sustainable patrol operations.
During the inspection, Ligan, together with the PRO 6 command group and regional staff, checked the deployment and visibility of police personnel, operational readiness of assistance desks, and overall security measures in major transport hubs. He also engaged with commuters and frontline personnel to reinforce vigilance and cooperation.
Areas covered during the bike patrol included Parola Terminal, Iloilo-Guimaras Ferry Wharf, Lapuz Wharf, Tagbak Ceres Terminal, and Iloilo Sunset Boulevard up to Fort San Pedro. Police presence was also monitored along major roads, plazas, malls, churches, pilgrimage sites, tourist destinations, and other convergence points.
The ICPO has expanded the use of bicycle patrols across key areas, including business districts, residential communities, and public spaces, maximizing Iloilo City’s identity as the country’s “Bike Capital.” Authorities said the strategy enhances mobility, allowing officers to navigate narrow streets and congested areas more effectively while improving response time and community engagement.
Parilla added that the initiative allows the police to continue delivering essential services while conserving fuel, noting that savings from reduced fuel consumption can be redirected to emergency response operations where resources are most needed.
PRO 6 remains on heightened alert, with personnel strategically deployed across Western Visayas to secure transport terminals and other high-traffic areas during Holy Week. The public is encouraged to report suspicious activities to 911 or the nearest police station.
The initiative supports broader government efforts to address rising fuel costs while ensuring that public safety services remain uninterrupted during the observance of Semana Santa. (Leo Solinap)