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[thxnews]

Bacolod City Police on High Alert Ahead of President Marcos Jr.'s SONA

  Civil Disturbance Management Team Ready to Respond to Any Untoward Incident

The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) is maintaining a state of high alert as it prepares for the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday. The event coincides with the commencement of a three-day nationwide strike organized by transport groups based in Metro Manila.  

BCPO Director Assures Readiness for SONA

Col. Noel Aliño, the BCPO director, assured the public on Sunday that "Team BCPO is 100 percent ready for the SONA." The civil disturbance management team is on standby and fully prepared to handle any untoward incidents that may arise during the event. Aliño emphasized that the BCPO will exercise maximum tolerance while ensuring the safety and security of Bacolodnons.   BCPO Assists Commuters Affected by Transport Strike In coordination with the city government, the BCPO will also deploy vehicles to assist commuters who may be affected by the transport strike. However, it is worth noting that the majority of public utility jeepney operators in Bacolod have announced that they will not be participating in the strike, including prominent groups like Sentrong Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Negros and the Federation of Bacolod City Drivers Association.  

Metro Manila Transport Groups Protest PUV Modernization Program

The Metro Manila-based transport groups organizing the nationwide strike are protesting the December 31, 2023 deadline for the consolidation phase of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program. They claim that the program's implementation deprives them of routes under the new local public transport route plan.  

City Administrator Clarifies Strike Participation

City Administrator Pacifico Maghari III clarified that there is no specific group in Bacolod joining the transport strike on Monday. Many transport leaders have expressed their decision not to participate, expressing gratitude for the efforts of Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez in assisting them with the issuance of provisional authority (PA) from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.   Assistance for Stranded Commuters Maghari added that in anticipation of potentially stranded commuters, the BCPO will provide free rides through its "Libre Sakay" service. This initiative involves deploying mobile vehicles to specific locations covered by all 10 police stations in the city, aiming to alleviate the impact of the strike on the commuting public. Almost 1,300 traditional jeepneys in Bacolod granted PA until year-end, ensuring continued transportation options for residents. Bacolod's BCPO committed to maintaining peace, and order, and supporting welfare during President Marcos Jr.'s SONA and transport strike.   Sources: THX News & Philippine News Agency. Read the full article