By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) passed, during their regular session earlier this week, a P478,000 budget allocation for the city’s anti-criminality drive.

According to City Councilor Caesar Distrito, funds will be distributed among the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) and their 10 police stations, the Mobile Tactical Unit, the Women and Children’s Protection Desk, the Police Community Relations division, the City Drug Enforcement Unit, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

Funding will also go towards gasoline and maintenance for police vehicles.

The city councilor added, he hopes the allocation helps local police become more aggressive in patrolling, investigating, and arresting criminals.

Earlier, Distrito appealed to the public to stop tagging the city as “unsafe” on social media, as it spreads fear and panic among city residents.

Additionally, with the city preparing for next month’s MassKara Festival, Distrito believes such posts could scare away potential visitors./DGB, WDJ