The Bacolod City Police Assistance Desk program was launched on Wednesday, September 6, with the setting up of 25 BPADs in strategic areas of the city as the MassKara Festival nears.
Col. Noel Aliño, Bacolod police director, said that the program that is a first in the country will ensure that the police are more visible and ready to respond to the needs of the public.
BPAD will be manned by policemen who are trained to cater to the needs of the public and to give advice on relevant matters, he said.
“It can also be an venue for the community to report crimes, violence, and other occurrences that disturb the peace and order in their areas,” he said.
Aliño designated PCapt. Peter John Ramos as BPAD supervisor.
Among the areas with BPADs are the 6th Lacson Street fronting the Provincial Capitol Lagoon, Lopues East in Burgos Avenue, Puregold in B.S. Aquino corner San Juan St., San Sebastian Street, Gaisano in Gatuslao Street, Robinsons Triangle in B.S. Aquino Drive, among others.
During their soft launch, BPADs will be operational from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, he added.
However, if the program is effective they will make them operational 24 hours a day, Aliño said.
The deployment of police officers in the different BPADs is an extension of BCPO to the community to ensure that access to police services is within the public’s reach, he added.*