THE Regional Community Affairs and Development Division inspected police search and rescue units and equipment in Negros Island Region (NIR) to ensure they are ready this rainy season. (PRO-NIR)
BACOLOD CITY – Police in Negros Island Region are ready to respond to disasters during the rainy season.
Police Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, Police Regional Office (PRO)-NIR chief, directed all police offices, stations, and regional support units to prepare all Search and Rescue (SAR) equipment, rescue boats, police vehicles, emergency response assets, and trained personnel for immediate deployment.
“Our responsibility is not only to respond when disasters occur but to prepare long before they happen,” he said as he underscored that preparedness is the foundation of effective disaster response.
He instructed police personnel to closely monitor weather advisories and implement proactive measures to reduce the risks posed by heavy rains, flooding, landslides, and other weather-related incidents.
Police were directed to conduct forward logistics planning to ensure that fuel, communication equipment, emergency supplies, and other operational requirements are readily available during disaster response.
Police stations and offices susceptible to flooding, landslides, and other hazards are being assessed, with measures put in place to protect personnel, government-issued equipment, and other critical resources.
PRO-NIR has conducted inspection to verify that all rescue equipment and emergency assets are complete, serviceable, and deployment-ready.
Cardiño ordered police units to strengthen coordination with local government units, the Office of Civil Defense, and other disaster response agencies to ensure a unified and efficient emergency response while maintaining uninterrupted police services throughout the rainy season.
He urged the public to stay alert, monitor official weather advisories, avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather, and immediately seek assistance through the 911 emergency hotline or the nearest police station during emergencies requiring police intervention.