Bacolod City – The closure of resorts and cafes in four villages here and some resorts in Negros Occidental on Easter Sunday had contributed to the peaceful observance of the Lenten Season.
According to Police Lieutenant Abegael Donasco, deputy information officer of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO), it was favorable for the policemen because they were able to focus on patrolling in other areas than in beach resorts, where families and friends usually gather for an excursion on Easter Sunday.
Donasco said that there was no major Holy Week-related incident recorded last week, adding that the province was generally peaceful.
Based on the crime statistics from NOCPPO, index crimes or crimes against person or property were down by three cases or 33.33 percent, with six incidents recorded this year compared to nine cases last year covering the said period.
However, traffic accidents increased by 19 cases with 22 incidents this year compared to last year’s three incidents.
“Nakatulong talaga ang pagsasara ng most resorts sa province kasi wala masyadong insidente na nagaganap,” Donasco said.
Donasco also said that three masses a day during the Holy Week prevented people from overcrowding in Churches.
Meanwhile, Police Lieutenant Liberty Indiape, information officer of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said that people here cooperated and supported the move of the city government, thus no significant incident happened last week.
Easter Sunday was uneventful as resorts in Barangays Pahanocoy and Punta Taytay were closed that day to prevent the possible transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Indiape said there were traffic accidents reported but were only minor cases, there were also health protocol violators in some barangays and areas, but just minimal cases.
(Glazyl Masculino via The Daily Guardian (TDG), photo courtesy of Bacolod City Public Information Office)