By JEN BAYLON

With the much-anticipated Bacolaodiat Festival set to take place from January 31 to February 2, the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) is ramping up security measures to ensure a safe and orderly celebration.

BCPO will deploy 200 personnel across key festival sites, working alongside local government units and event organizers to maintain peace and order.

“Force multipliers will be deployed to key areas to strengthen crime prevention efforts, enhance police visibility, and provide assistance to residents and visitors,” the BCPO said in a press statement.

Special units will also be stationed in strategic locations to manage crowd control, traffic flow and emergency response during the three-day festival.

To accommodate festival activities, key roads will be temporarily closed, including North Capitol Road until Monday, February 3.

Sections of Lacson Street, from 5th to 13th Streets, will be closed starting yesterday until Monday for the setting up of stages and kiosks.

Bacolaodiat Festival, Bacolod’s grand Chinese New Year celebration, is expected to draw thousands of visitors with its dazzling lantern displays, cultural performances and lively street festivities.

Bacolaodiat came from the words “Baco” for Bacolod and “lao diat,” a Fookien word for celebration, highlighting the strong connection with the local Filipino-Chinese community. / With reports from PNA / JB, WDJ