THE Iloilo City Government, in partnership with the Iloilo City Police Office (Icpo), inaugurated two new police station buildings on April 1, 2026, to enhance community safety, security, and emergency preparedness in Barangay Taal, Molo, and Barangay Tabuc Suba, Jaro Districts.
Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas and Police Brigadier General Josefino Ligan, regional director of the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6), led the inauguration and blessing of the new Iloilo City Police Station (ICPS) 4 at the Icare Building in Barangay Taal, Molo District, alongside Police Colonel Wilbert Parilla, officer-in-charge of the Icpo.
Earlier that day, Treñas, together with members of the Iloilo City Council and Parilla, also officiated the opening of Icare Tabuc Suba, the new building of ICPS 3 in Bankers Village, Barangay Tabuc Suba, Jaro District.
Treñas underscored the importance of the Icare Centers in improving emergency response in the city, citing their effectiveness during disasters and calamities.
“Ang akon nakita, kay pirme ako present kon may disaster ukon calamity, dako gid nga bulig ang aton Icare Center. Amo na nga diri sa Iloilo City, madasig ang aton response. Mahapos kay isa na lang ka instruction, hulag na dayon tanan,” Treñas said.
(What I have seen, because I am always present when there is a disaster or calamity, our Icare Center is a big help. That's why here in Iloilo City, our response is fast. It's easy because it's just one instruction, everything moves.)
Ligan expressed gratitude to the City Government and residents for their continued support to the police force, while urging police personnel to remain diligent in their duties.
“Maraming salamat po sa inyong tulong sa inyong mga kapulisan. Sa ating mga kapulisan, gaano man kayo kagaling, kung tamad sa pagtatrabaho ay walang mangyayari -- kaya sipagan ninyo. Daig ng masipag ang magaling, at kung magaling ka na at masipag ka pa, mas lalo kayong aangat. Kaya galingan ninyo,” Ligan said.
(Thank you very much for your help to your police officers. To our police officers, no matter how good you are, if you are lazy in your work, nothing will happen -- so keep working hard. The hardworking surpasses the good, and if you are already good and you keep working hard, you will rise even higher. So work hard.)
The Icare Tabuc Suba facility serves as a multi-agency center that houses the Iloilo ICPS 3, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), allowing faster and more coordinated emergency response.
It is the ninth Icare Center established in Iloilo City, following similar facilities in Barangay So-oc, Barangay Ungka, Barangay Calumpang, Barangay Balantang, Barangay Tanza-Esperanza, Barangay Nabitasan, ICC Gaisano, and Megaworld.
Parilla thanked the City Government and residents for their sustained support and reaffirmed the commitment of the Icpo to maintaining peace and order through strengthened collaboration with stakeholders.
Present during the inauguration were Police Colonel Jophel Calapiz, acting chief of the Regional Logistics and Research Development Division of the PRO 6; Police Major Mark Renzi Ogalesco, regional pastoral officer of the PRO 6; Police Lieutenant Colonel Lindley Barrientos, deputy city director for administration of the Icpo; Police Lieutenant Colonel Lorenez Losaria, deputy city director for operations of the Icpo; personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection led by Fire Superintendent Melanie Habawel; representatives from the Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office; the Association of Barangay Captains of Jaro and Molo districts; Bankers Village Association officers; and other stakeholders.
The inauguration of the new police stations highlights the continued partnership between the local government, law enforcement agencies, and the community in strengthening public safety infrastructure and improving emergency response services across Iloilo City. (Leo Solinap)