Iloilo City Police beef up security for start of school year

The Iloilo City Police Department (ICPO) is on high alert as the new school year begins on July 29, 2024.

To ensure a safe and secure learning environment for students, teachers and parents, ICPO has implemented a comprehensive safety plan called “Oplan Balik Eskwela”.

Police Colonel Kim Legada, head of the ICPO, has ordered all units to improve security measures, collaborate with stakeholders and implement traffic management strategies.

“As the new school year begins, let’s work together to make it an exciting year for our students. We are committed to making them feel safe, secure and comfortable,” Legada said.

Additional police officers are being deployed to schools, terminals and other public places to deter crime and provide immediate assistance.

ICPO works closely with local government units, schools and community leaders to create a unified approach to safety. Regular meetings and information sharing are held to address potential challenges.

To manage the expected traffic congestion, the ICPO is working with the Iloilo City Transportation and Traffic Management Office (TTMO) to implement traffic management plans.

The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or via the ICPO hotline numbers.

The Public Information Office of the ICPO, the City Community Affairs Department (CCADU) and ten police stations organize educational programs and seminars to increase safety awareness among students and parents. They use various media and social media platforms for this purpose.

The ICPO aims to increase community involvement by organizing safety seminars and establishing police stations (PADs) at strategic locations.

Meanwhile, Police Brigadier General Jack Wanky, Regional Director of the Police Regional Office (PRO) – Western Visayas, assured the public of the region’s readiness to provide security during the school opening. The PRO-Western Visayas has implemented similar security measures across the region to protect students and educational institutions.

“Today marks the opening of classes for public schools and some private schools. Our full security coverage is already in place to ensure safety and security not only on this opening day but throughout the school year,” said Wanky.

Wanky also highlighted the ongoing police activities and achievements, including the successful implementation of safety measures for the school reopening.

As of July 26, 2024, the Department of Education (DepEd) in Western Visayas reported a total enrollment of 1,409,134 students. In the province of Iloilo, the combined enrollment of public and private schools reached 325,625.

ICPO’s proactive approach at Oplan Balik Eskwela underscores its commitment to creating a safe and secure environment for the community.