Bacolod City is eyeing to establish five more police stations to boost the safety and security of its growing populace.
“This will enhance our ability to ensure the safety and security of every Bacolodnon,” Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said in a statement Thursday, Nov. 28.
Based on initial plans, the locations would be in barangays of Banago, Estefania, Vista Alegre, Cabug and Singcang-Airport, he said.
Benitez said he fully supports the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), which is seeking to achieve “Type A” status as city police office.
“This upgrade will allow us to expand from 10 to up to 20 clustered police stations,” he added.
Col. Joeresty Coronica, police city director, earlier said there is a need to establish more police stations to cope with the city’s rapid growth.
“The police should not be left out of the development,” he added.
The BCPO now has 10 police stations.
Banago, one of the most populated villages in the city, is under Police Station 3 in Barangay Mandalagan, which is not easily accessible to those from Barangay Banago.
Both Barangays Vista Alegre and Estefania are also situated relatively far from Police Station 7 in Barangay Mansilingan, and Police Station 4 in Barangay Villamonte, respectively.
Barangay Cabug is under Police Station 9 based in Barangay Sum-ag while Barangay Singcang-Airport is covered by Police Station 8 located in Barangay Tangub.
The country’s ideal police-to-population ratio is one policeman to 500 people, but the current ratio in Bacolod is one to more than 500.*PNA