By Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA
BACOLOD CITY — The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) will deploy at least 1,400 police personnel and force multipliers to secure the Bacolaodiat Festival, this city’s celebration of Chinese New Year, from February 1 to 5.
This year’s main festival site, which is the Bacolod City Government Center grounds, will be provided with round-the-clock security during the five-day festivities.
Chief Insp. Lester Leada, acting head of BCPO’s Operations Unit, said in a press briefing on Friday the police aim for zero major incident and reduce the occurrence of the eight focus crimes by 30 percent.
“We also want to reduce the fear of crime and increase the level of confidence of stakeholders during the staging of the festival,” Leada added.
Last year, between 50,000 and 70,000 revelers attended the Bacolaodiat staged in two festival sites, police data showed.
Leada said the security forces will include about 1,000 police personnel, including the BCPO’s own 600 policemen and about 400 augmentation from Police Regional Office 6 (Western Visayas).
The remaining 400 personnel will comprise volunteers from rescue units and anti-crime groups, he added.
Before the press conference, Leada presented the security plan for this year’s festival during the 1st Inter-Agency Coordinating Conference on Security Preparation for Bacolaodiat 2019, held at the BCPO Patnubay Hall. It was attended by police station chiefs and representatives of various law enforcement agencies.
On February 1, the festival will kick off at 4 p.m. with the Dazzling Grand Motorcade from Lacson St., passing by the Bacolod Public Plaza before proceeding to the Bacolod City Government Center.
It will be followed by the opening of the Imperial Village and ceremonial lighting of the Government Center.
At 6 p.m., the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra will hold an open-air concert.
The opening night will be capped by the Symphony Lights and Sparks fireworks display and the Lunar Music Festival.
One of the festival highlights, the Bacolaodiat Street Dance Competition, will be held at the Goldenfield Commercial Complex starting 4:30 p.m. on February 3.
