200 security forces deployed for Bacolaodiat Festival

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Around 200 policemen and force multipliers will be deployed to secure the revelers during the celebration of the 18th Bacolaodiat Festival here.

Police Lieutenant Sherlock Gabana, public information officer of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said 100 BCPO personnel will be distributed to various festival sites, while the remaining will include the force multipliers and personnel from the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO).

Gabana said the deployment of the security forces will be on Jan. 20, during the opening of the festivity, and will end on the last day of the event on Jan. 22.

The number of personnel can cover all the festival sites during the three-day event.

The police will also aid the traffic enforcers on road closures during the grand parade from Megaworld’s The Upper East towards the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) on Jan. 20.

Jennifer Gochangco-Ong, one of the board members of the Bacolaodiat Festival organizing committee, said that Megaworld chief strategy officer Kevin Tan is expected to grace the occasion.

This year’s festivity highlights the Year of the Rabbit, which is believed to offer opportunities for contemplation, rest, and nurturing of body and soul.

The festival returned after it was suspended for two years due to the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Gabana said that there will be no phone signal jamming and a gun ban will be imposed during the festivity.