Security at the Bacolod public plaza will be beefed up during the 22-day MassKara Festival, Chief Inspector Adonis Rosales of the Bacolod Police Station 1 said yesterday.

Police visibility will be increased around the plaza 24 hours a day to secure revelers and to ensure zero incident or fatality, he said.

Rosales said the nine entrances leading to the plaza will be sealed off, and police personnel will inspect revelers going into the area starting at 4 p.m.

Random checks will also be conducted during kiosk operations from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., he added.

Rosales made this assurance yesterday during an orientation meeting of kiosk operators at the BAYS Center, where related operations like electrical installation, sound system, cleanliness and sanitation, and areas of business operations were discussed.

City Tourism Office Imogene Kana-an said that about 40 policemen attended a seminar on tourist security Wednesday held in coordination with the BCPO, as part of the celebration of World Tourism Week in Bacolod City.

She said Mayor Evelio Leonardia gave an inspirational message emphasizing the importance of providing security to the city’s tourists and guests, particularly during the MassKara Festival.

She also said the participants in the seminar were given a tour of the city Thursday to acquaint them with the places where tourists are being brought. During tour, the policemen identified areas tourists must avoid, especially at nighttime. Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz, Bacolod City police director, had said earlier, that the city police will be augmented by 1,088 policemen from the Regional Training School, Regional Public Safety Battalion, Guimaras Police Office, and the Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office.

De la Paz added that the Bacolod City Police Office has formed Task Group MassKara to ensure the safety of revelers during the celebration, while Task Force Festival of Police Regional Office-6 will help in securing those who may opt to drop by Panay Island before going to Bacolod.

A city-wide gun ban from Oct. 1 to 23 was approved by PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome during the MassKara Festival, de la Paz said.

Those present at the orientation at the BAYS CENTER yesterday were Myron Gallo of the Bureau of Fire Protection, Jojo Dalipe of the Office of the Building Official, Lola Mae Gebusion and Teresita Gonzales of the City Health Office, Ruel Garaygay of the Department of Public Services, festival director Eli Tajanlangit, festival site manager Ma. Carmen Arrieta-Vasquez, and representatives of festival sponsors.*

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