Bacolod boosts police force with new station build

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) marked another milestone in expanding police infrastructure with the groundbreaking of Bacolod’s fifth standard-type police station.

Mayor Greg Gasataya, Police Capt. Andy Ofalia, head of Police Station 9; Police Col. Joeresty Coronica, Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) director; and Police Col. Gilbert Gorero, PRO-NIR chief of regional staff, led the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Police Station 9 building in Barangay Cabug on Friday.

BCPO spokesperson Police Capt. Rosalino Pugoy said the city government donated a 600-square-meter lot for the new facility.

A 50-year deed of usufruct was also executed between Barangay Cabug and Police Station 9 to formalize the site agreement.

The three-story building will be constructed with a budget of PHP 10.5 million sourced from the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) of the Philippine National Police (PNP). The station will be relocated from its previous site in Barangay Sum-ag.

Construction is expected to be completed within 240 days. Police Station 9 will cover Barangays Sum-ag, Cabug, and Punta Taytay.

In a message delivered during the ceremony, PRO-NIR Director Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay emphasized that effective policing starts with infrastructure that supports its personnel.

“A police station is not merely a structure but a place where duty and service to the people begin,” Ibay said.

He noted that the project aims to improve police response time, increase visibility, and expand patrol coverage, particularly in fast-developing and densely populated communities.

Once completed, the new Police Station 9 is expected to enhance the BCPO’s operational capacity by providing sufficient office space, custodial facilities, and dedicated areas for community engagement and frontline services.

Ibay also expressed gratitude to the Bacolod City government and partner stakeholders for their support, saying he hopes the new station will become a symbol of dedication, courage, and honorable service.

Currently, BCPO has three standard-type police stations: Station 5 in Barangay Granada, Station 7 in Barangay Mansilingan, and Station 10 in Barangay Handumanan.

Police Station 3 also broke ground for a new site in Barangay Mandalagan in June 2025.

In addition, the Bacolod City Mobile Force Company (BCMFC) facility in Barangay Alangilan is already operational.

Meanwhile, the BCPO held its New Year’s Call with Mayor Gasataya on Thursday to thank the city government for its continued support, which it cited as a key driver in improving police operations, personnel welfare, and public safety initiatives.

During the event, the city government formally turned over handheld radios and a LED TV wall to the BCPO. The equipment is expected to significantly enhance communication, command-and-control operations, situational monitoring, and strategic planning, especially during emergencies and major public events.

The BCPO also welcomed the upcoming turnover of 10 electric patrol vehicles, which will be distributed across police stations as part of the city’s modernization program for law enforcement mobility.