New police stations boost Negros safety services

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By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — In a bid to modernize police stations and improve public safety services in the Negros Island Region, the Police Regional Office-NIR marked another milestone following the inauguration of two standard-type, three-story police stations worth a combined PHP 40.5 million in Negros Occidental on Thursday.

Police Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, acting PRO-NIR director, and Police Col. Dennis Wenceslao, director of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, led the unveiling of the newly constructed police stations in E.B. Magalona and Sagay City.

The new E.B. Magalona Municipal Police Station cost PHP 15.591 million, with construction starting on March 18, 2025, and completed on Jan. 12 this year.

Mayor Matthew Louis Malacon also graced the inauguration rites, along with Police Capt. Jyan Carlo Mania, acting chief of the E.B. Magalona Municipal Police Station.

Malacon said the new police station will provide better service and security to the people of the municipality.

More than just a structure, the new station represents the dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment of the police force in serving and protecting the people of E.B. Magalona.

“May this new facility inspire greater excellence in public service and strengthen our collective mission toward a safer, more peaceful, and progressive community,” the police station shared on social media.

A new police station also opened in Sagay City, where it is expected to enhance police visibility, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen the delivery of law enforcement services through faster coordination, improved response time, and more effective public safety operations.

The inauguration rites were also graced by Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva, Vice Mayor Narciso Javelosa Jr., and Police Lt. Col. Alvimar Flores, chief of the Sagay City Police Station.

The Sagay City facility was completed at a project cost of PHP 25 million, with construction starting on June 9, 2025, and completed on June 10 this year.

According to PRO-NIR, the facilities support the implementation of the SAFE NIR Dial 911 Program, the region’s flagship emergency response initiative aimed at ensuring swift coordination, improved accessibility, and immediate police assistance across the region.

The Negros Island Region, composed of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor, was reestablished to bring government services closer to communities and improve coordination among regional agencies.

In his message, Cardiño emphasized that the milestone reflects the strong partnership among the Philippine National Police, local government units, stakeholders, and the community in advancing peace, security, and development.

He said that while modern infrastructure enhances police capability, the true value of every police station lies in the professionalism, integrity, discipline, and compassion demonstrated by the personnel serving within it.

“As we continue implementing our S.A.F.E. NIR Program, where every police officer is Seen, Appreciated, Felt, and does an Extraordinary police work, may these facilities serve as symbols of our commitment to accessible, responsive, and people-centered policing,” Cardiño said in a statement.