More than a month before the staging of the MassKara Festival in Bacolod City, the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) is preparing a comprehensive security plan to ensure the safety of festival goers.
PBrig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR regional director, presided an emergency meeting at Camp Alfredo M. Montelibano Sr. on Aug. 21, focusing on the comprehensive preparation and operational readiness for the festival from Sept. 30 to Oct. 19.
A major highlight of the discussion was the utilization of the Philippine National Police capabilities, particularly the use of drones for real-time aerial surveillance and monitoring of crowd movement.
This technology will significantly aid in implementing the five-minute response policy, allowing ground units to respond promptly to incidents as they arise, it added.
Specialized units are also up for deployment to high-density areas and critical points throughout the festival zones to ensure maximum police visibility in key event locations including parade routes, concert venues, public transport terminals, and tourist spots.
During the meeting, the Bacolod City Police Office, represented by PLt. Col. Joery Puerto, presented a security plan and deployment strategy designed to ensure the safety and security of both locals and tourists attending the festivities.
Ibay stressed the importance of not just visibility, but also community engagement and proactive policing to build public trust and deter criminal activity.
The meeting also highlighted close inter-agency collaboration with various national and regional partners, including the Bureau of Fire Protection, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Health, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices, and other concerned agencies. ||
