Bacolod city: Emergency calls made to the SAFE NIR Dial 911 of Police Regional Office - Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) have resulted in the arrest of 53 individuals for various violations since the program's inception on June 4.

According to Philippines News Agency, as of August 16, a total of 364 calls were received, establishing a more direct and accessible link between the public and the police. 'Most of the cases were alarm and scandal,' stated PRO-NIR spokesperson Lt. Col. Joem Malong during a briefing.

These calls were managed by the respective police departments of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, and Bacolod City. The SAFE NIR Dial 911 is a key initiative launched within the first 100 days of PRO-NIR Director Brig. Gen. Romano Cardi±o's tenure.

SAFE, which stands for Seen, Appreciated, Felt, and Extraordinary, aims to make police assistance more accessible and responsive to the communities it serves. In launching the program, Cardi±o emphasized that public safety should not only be delivered but also felt by the people. 'Every call is a call for help. Every response is an opportunity to protect,' he remarked.

Through SAFE NIR Dial 911, the regional police force continues to bolster coordination among emergency call-taking, dispatch, and police response, reinforcing the commitment that when citizens reach out for help, the police must be ready to respond. The service is available for life-threatening emergencies, such as crimes in progress, violence, serious accidents, fire, and medical emergencies, ensuring that when someone's life or safety is at risk, help is just a call away.