Security cluster readies for safe Peñafrancia fiesta

The Security Cluster under the Incident Management Team (IMT) has finalized its plans to ensure the safety and security of the public during this year’s Peñafrancia Fiesta celebration, with authorities preparing for large crowds, particularly the estimated one million devotees expected during the Traslacion procession on Friday, September 11.

The cluster is led by Police Lt. Col. Rizaldy Caballero, acting city director of the Naga City Police Office and this year’s Incident Commander of the IMT, together with Lt. Kenny Villafuerte of the Philippine Coast Guard, who serves as co-Incident Commander under the unified command.

Mayor Leni Robredo recognized the initiative and extensive preparations of the IMT-Security Cluster, emphasizing that the safety and security of the public remain the foremost priority of the city government throughout the Peñafrancia Fiesta celebration.

During the Security Cluster’s command conference yesterday, Sept. 8, authorities discussed in detail the measures to be undertaken to achieve its primary objective of ensuring public safety and security throughout the major fiesta celebration. These include traffic management assistance, crowd control operations, enforcement actions against violations, monitoring of border control points and checkpoints, intelligence and information operations, and the full deployment of security personnel.

Caballero said the Security Cluster’s primary mandate is to respond to any type of emergency in coordination with other government agencies, including the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Army, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and the Medical Cluster.

Robredo commended the Security Cluster and its partner agencies for taking a proactive approach in anticipating possible situations and putting in place measures to protect the millions of devotees, residents, visitors, and other stakeholders who will take part in the various fiesta activities.

The command conference was also attended by City Councilor Omar Buenafe and CDRRMO Head Raynor Rodriguez.

Aside from the Task Unit for Security, the Security Cluster has established Task Units for Peace and Order, Cyber Security, and Emergency Preparedness and Response to ensure focused attention on their respective mandates throughout the extensive fiesta celebration.

The Mayor stressed that the city’s goal is to ensure that everyone can participate in and celebrate the Peñafrancia Fiesta safely and peacefully. She expressed appreciation for the coordinated efforts of the police, military, Coast Guard, fire protection, jail management, medical teams, and other members of the IMT, saying their preparedness, presence, and close coordination are essential to maintaining a safe environment throughout the celebration, particularly during the Traslacion procession.

A total of 2,815 Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel are scheduled to be deployed to various areas of Naga City for different assignments and missions. Of this number, 2,010 are augmentation forces from various provinces in the Bicol Region, while 805 are from the Naga City Police Office.

For the Traslacion procession on Friday, September 11, the Security Cluster estimates that the crowd could reach one million people.

At the Peñafrancia Shrine, 33 police personnel will be deployed, while 730 police officers will be stationed along the various routes of the Traslacion, from the Peñafrancia Shrine to the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral.

The Security Cluster has also identified seven hospitals where patients can be brought in case of emergencies. Emergency vehicle routes have likewise been determined to ensure that patients can reach hospitals through the fastest and shortest possible routes.

The cluster is coordinating with the Medical Cluster on the deployment of medical aid teams and ambulances, as well as the establishment of emergency fast lanes during the Traslacion procession.

For visiting dignitaries and guests arriving by helicopter, Caballero said a heliport or helispot has been prepared to accommodate helicopter landings and passenger disembarkation.

The deployment of fire trucks has also been incorporated into the Security Cluster’s plans to ensure faster and more efficient response by BFP personnel.

The Security Cluster reminded the public that, as the Traslacion moves forward, an BJMP inmate transport vehicle will follow at the rear of the procession. The vehicle will be used to transport individuals who may be apprehended for violations during the event.

For drone operations during the Traslacion, four PNP units composed of 22 personnel will be deployed in areas where drone operations are authorized.

The Security Cluster also reported that more than 20 commercial and public establishments have operational CCTV cameras covering portions of the Traslacion route from the Peñafrancia Shrine to the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral.

Authorities said these facilities will provide significant assistance in maintaining peace and order and in gathering evidence when necessary.

The Security Cluster is also monitoring high-rise buildings located along the Traslacion route. These structures will be included among the areas to be closely watched by authorities to ensure the safety and security of the public throughout the procession. | via Jason B. Neola, CMO-Public Information Division head