By CESAR JOLITO III

The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) is renewing its push for a Type A reclassification to expand its law enforcement presence, with plans to establish five additional police stations across key barangays in the city.

BCPO Director Colonel Joeresty Coronica confirmed that they will resubmit their reclassification documents this week to the Police Regional Office in Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), following the previous submission to PRO-Western Visayas in 2024.

The reclassification bid, once approved by the National Police Commission, will elevate BCPO from a Type B to a Type A police office — granting it authority to exceed the current cap of 10 police stations.

“Under the current classification, we are only allowed 10 stations. But with Type A status, we can establish more than 10, which is crucial given the city’s growing population and urban development,” Coronica said.

BCPO currently operates 10 police stations.

The proposed expansion includes additional police stations in Barangays Banago, Estefania and Vista Alegre.

However, due to rapid developments at the Old Bacolod Airport and the new Bacolod-Negros Occidental Economic Highway, two additional areas — Barangays Singcang-Airport and Cabug — have been identified as priority locations.

To strengthen the application, BCPO has secured endorsements from both the Bacolod City Council and the Peace and Order Council.

Coronica noted that these resolutions will be attached to their formal request to PRO-NIR.

Drawing from his experience in Iloilo City, where he spearheaded the establishment of four new police stations, Coronica emphasized the importance of proactive policing infrastructure: “Peace and order is the foundation of all developments. We will prepare our police presence, and progress will follow.”

If approved, the reclassification is expected to significantly enhance BCPO’s operational capacity and public safety coverage across Bacolod’s rapidly expanding urban landscape./CJ, WDJ