BACOLOD CITY – The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) has deployed 613 policemen to secure the return of the Chicken Inasal Festival here slated from Friday, May 26, to Sunday, May 28.
MORE than 600 policemen are securing the Chicken Inasal Festival in Bacolod City which kicks off Friday, May 26. (Photo courtesy of BCPO)
The security forces were sent off in a ceremony held at the BCPO headquarters here on Thursday, May 25.
In a press briefing, Police Col. Noel Aliño, acting Bacolod police director, said they have started a skeletal deployment of personnel in some areas here, prior to the opening of the three-day festivity.
Aside from the policemen, three personnel from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, 22 from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), eight from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB), 13 from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and 10 others were also deployed, according to the BCPO.
Aliño said there will also be reserve forces that will provide augmentation if deemed necessary.
Meanwhile, 17 traffic enforcers were also deployed in festival sites and other major areas here to ensure smooth traffic flow, considering the road closures, starting Tuesday night, May 23, according to Police Major Junji Liba, head of the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO).
The festival kicks off on May 26 at 5 p.m. at the North Capitol Road. It will showcase the finest flavors, live cooking demonstrations, and exciting competitions that highlight the Bacolod Chicken Inasal.
The following day, there will be a Barangay Inasal Cook-Off at the Manokan Country, SM City Bacolod at 4 p.m. Chef Jose Sarasola will showcase a Chicken Inasal Rendition (live cooking demo) at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central on May 27.
Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival closing ceremony will be held at the Megaworld Upper East on May 28 at 5 p.m., with the longest Chicken Inasal Grilling.
Last November, the city council approved an ordinance declaring Chicken Inasal as cultural property of Bacolod.
The City of Smiles is known for its Chicken Inasal, a Filipino grilled chicken dish. This city last celebrated the festivity in 2019 before the world was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.