Bacolod braces for transport strike, police deploy free rides

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region has activated comprehensive security preparations for the scheduled transport strike, caravan, and protest rally in the city on Monday.

“We are fully prepared to ensure the safety of the public and the orderly conduct of the activity,” said Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR director.

He added that personnel are on the ground, systems are in place, and coordination with stakeholders remains strong.

“We call on everyone to cooperate and uphold peace and discipline throughout the event,” Ibay said.

Police Lt. Col. Joem Malong, PRO-NIR spokesperson, said all security personnel are in place, including Civil Disturbance Management units for possible augmentation.

These forces are prepared for immediate deployment to address any untoward incident and ensure that the conduct of the activity remains peaceful and orderly.

Heightened police visibility has been implemented across major routes, identified convergence areas, transport terminals, and key establishments along the planned caravan route.

Police personnel have been strategically deployed to ensure public safety, manage traffic flow, and maintain peace and order.

The regional office has also intensified its intelligence monitoring efforts to closely track developments and preempt any potential security concerns.

As part of the public assistance component, patrol vehicles are being readied for the Philippine National Police’s “Libreng Sakay” initiative to support commuters who may be affected by the transport strike.

The “Libreng Sakay,” or free ride program, is a standard PNP response during transport strikes, in which police vehicles are deployed to ferry stranded commuters along major routes to minimize disruption to daily travel.

The PRO-NIR and the Bacolod City Police Office also maintain close coordination with organizers and transport groups to promote a peaceful, organized, and lawful assembly, while ensuring that the rights of all parties are respected.

They assured the public of their readiness to respond to any situation and reiterated their commitment to safeguarding the welfare of the community while upholding democratic rights.

Last week, local transport and progressive groups in the city joined the nationwide transport strike amid fuel price hikes tied to tensions in the Middle East.

The groups also staged a protest in response to rising fuel prices and called for the suspension of excise taxes on fuel, repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law, lower prices for basic goods, wage increases, and fuel subsidies for drivers and operators.

The Oil Deregulation Law, or Republic Act 8479, was enacted in 1998 to liberalize the downstream oil industry by removing government control over fuel pricing and allowing market forces to determine pump prices. Critics argue that the law has left consumers vulnerable to global price shocks, particularly during periods of geopolitical instability.