BACOLOD City – Both the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Northern Negros Occidental Station will step up their security measures ahead of the observance of Holy Week, which will begin on Palm Sunday, March 24.
Lieutenant Abegael Donasco, NOCPPO spokesperson, said they are all set to initiate “Oplan: SumVac (Summer Vacation)” in anticipation of the thousands of travelers who will be either going home or on vacation.
Donasco said assistance desks will be set up, and police personnel will be deployed in places of convergence such as transport terminals, churches, resorts, and shopping malls.
Other personnel will be assigned for foot patrols, he added.
Police stations are expected to strictly follow the 90-to-10 ratio during the period. Meaning, that if a police station has 100 personnel assigned to the unit, 90 of the personnel should be on the field doing beat patrols and manning assistance desks, while the remaining 10 will be assigned to office tasks at the police stations.
As thousands are expected to be out of their homes during the period, Donasco said they are expecting that some individuals will take advantage of the situation by committing burglary.
Donasco reminded the public to make sure that they lock their doors before leaving.
She also said that it would be a good idea to inform neighbors and ask them to check their houses should they remain home during the Holy Week observance.
Meanwhile, PCG-Northern Negros Occidental Station chief Commander Joe Luviz Mercurio said they will be on “full alert” status beginning next week.
Mercurio said most of their personnel have just completed their refresher courses to make them more efficient for the implementation of “Oplan: Semana Santa 2024.”
The PCG will closely guard the sea terminals, making sure that vessels are not overloaded and are in good condition to travel.
Mercurio also stated that they have already received orders from Coast Guard District Western Visayas commander Captain Weniel Azcuna to deploy their sea assets and regularly patrol the province’s coastal areas.
The PCG has also begun inspecting the various resorts in the province to make sure that they have available lifeguards.
Mercurio said stringent checks are particularly done among cities and municipalities that have existing ordinances requiring resorts to have certified lifeguards available and are making sure that they know how to perform first aid in case of an emergency.
The PCG will also tap the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary and other rescue groups during the period to ensure the safety of tourists during the period. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
