BY MAE SINGUAY
BACOLOD City – Guidelines and protocols have been set by the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) to ensure the safe observance of this year’s All Saints’ and All Souls’ days.
Lieutenant Colonel Ronnie Brillo, Deputy for Administration under the office of the city police director, reminded cemetery-goers to follow the guidelines implemented by the security forces.
The BCPO prohibits the bringing of deadly weapons, such as knives and firearms, as well as intoxicating liquor.
“Bringing illegal gambling paraphernalia is prohibited, too, because the games can sometimes cause misunderstandings among the public,” Brillo explained.
According to Brillo, BCPO director Colonel Noel Aliño issued a directive to maximize the police.
Six policemen were deployed on Nov. 1 and 2 in every cemetery in this city, both public and private. Two were assigned at the entrance to check on every individual, while the other four were roving.
Brillo said Police Assistance Desks (PADs), initially spread in several strategic areas of the city, would remain. Additional PADs were also placed at the North and South bus terminals, as well as at BREDCO and Banago ports.
Personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard, the Bureau of Fire Protection and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, among other force multipliers, were deployed to augment the police, he added.
For its part, the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) deployed traffic enforcers, too.
Police Major Junji Liba, BTAO head, said 22 traffic enforces were deployed at the Bacolod North Public Cemetery (Burgos Cemetery) to maintain a smooth and orderly traffic situation.
A two-day full road closure is implemented along Burgos Street in the Burgos Cemetery from 6 a.m. on Nov. 1 until 6 p.m. on Nov. 2.
“There would be a possibility that vehicles would not fit on the road, which may cause traffic. So, we decided to implement one-way traffic along the streets of Ilang-ilang and Ylac for the rerouting,” the BTAO head disclosed.
Motorists were advised to be keen of and follow rerouting signage following the road closure./PN
