BACOLOD City — The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) has proposed the establishment of three additional police stations to keep pace with the rapid development and population growth in various areas of the city.
BCPO director Colonel Joeresty Coronica emphasized the need for increased police presence, noting that Bacolod’s expanding communities require enhanced public safety measures.
“As Bacolod grows, there is a need for the police to grow along with it,” said Coronica stated, pointing out that some previously unpopulated areas are now bustling neighborhoods.
During a department head meeting held at the Bacolod City Government Center on November 4, Coronica presented this proposal to the city administration as part of Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez’s “Super City” development initiative.
The proposed stations would be strategically located in Barangays Banago, Vista Alegre, and Estefania.
Barangay Banago, currently under the jurisdiction of Police Station 3 (PS3), has been identified as a priority due to the upcoming relocation of PS3 to a private subdivision in Rockwell.
The move, driven by accessibility concerns, will necessitate the addition of a new station to maintain adequate coverage in Banago.
Barangay Vista Alegre, which has seen a rise in population due to a city housing project and the establishment of a general hospital, currently falls under the jurisdiction of Police Station 7 (PS7). Coronica argued that the population boom in the area justifies an additional station to better serve the local community.
Similarly, Barangay Estefania, now resembling a small town, is managed by Police Station 4 (PS4), which is located some distance away. Coronica suggested that a dedicated station within Estefania would enhance response times and service efficiency.
Coronica also highlighted that each new station would require additional personnel, aligning with the Philippine National Police’s staffing standard of 54 officers per station. The proposal, pending approval, aims to reinforce Bacolod’s security infrastructure and ensure that law enforcement keeps pace with the city’s development trajectory./PN
