Bicol: The Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) is set to deploy over 4,600 personnel across the region to maintain safety and security during the holiday season.

According to Philippines News Agency, during a press conference on Tuesday, Maj. Archie Cristobal, who leads the Regional Community Affairs and Development Division Public Information Section, announced that 3,310 officers will be from the regional office, supplemented by 1,299 from augmented units and advocacy groups. These personnel will be strategically positioned to cover various areas of concern. Specifically, 1,589 will be stationed at places of worship, 988 will monitor major road networks, 649 will be present in commercial areas, 574 will oversee other places of convergence, 394 will be at transport hubs and terminals, 233 will be in designated firecracker zones, and 182 will manage community fireworks displays.

Maj. Cristobal emphasized the importance of heightened awareness among pedestrians, commuters, and travelers due to expected increases in vehicular traffic as Christmas approaches. He advised, "Road safety during Christmas and the holidays requires extra vigilance because of the increased traffic volume and the rush of last-minute errands."

He also highlighted the risks associated with firecrackers, urging the public to minimize their use and to supervise children closely if fireworks are involved. "Always keep an eye on them," Cristobal stressed, reinforcing that holiday safety is a collective responsibility. "The safety of the holidays does not rest solely on the PNP (Philippine National Police) and other national government agencies," he stated.

In related developments, the Department of Health in Bicol (DOH-5) plans to implement a code white alert to ensure readiness for holiday events. Julie Legazpi-Granadino, a Senior Health Program Officer at DOH-5, explained that this measure is intended to prepare all hospitals in the region for potential increases in accident cases associated with New Year celebrations.