The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) activated an extensive security and public safety plan as a broad civil society coalition in Negros Occidental prepared for the “Trillion Peso March 2.0” on November 30.
PRO-NIR Director Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay emphasized on Thursday, November 27, the regional police’s full commitment to keeping the march-rally safe, peaceful, and orderly.
He said that the police force’s respect for the people’s right to assemble and its responsibility to protect both participants and the wider community.
The police force deployed about 2,000 personnel across the region to manage crowds and traffic, respond to emergencies, and monitor possible security concerns.
Ibay also urged marchers to exercise cooperation and discipline to help maintain peace throughout the event.
PRO-NIR coordinated its security preparations with local government units, emergency responders, and partner agencies.
Ibay noted that although authorities had not detected any major threats, the regional office placed all units under heightened alert to ensure public safety.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Bacolod, the Tama Na! Alliance Against Corruption–Negros, and the One Negros Ecumenical Council led the preparations for the march-rally in Bacolod City.
Delegations from the north gathered at the Provincial Capitol Lagoon and South Capitol Road, while groups from the south assembled at Sacred Heart Seminary on Lizares Avenue. Participants planned to converge at the Bacolod City Public Plaza replica center for the 2 pm. rally.
During a press briefing at the Bishop’s House, former governor Rafael Coscolluela of Tama Na! Alliance Against Corruption–Negros, Bishop Patricio Buzon of the Diocese of Bacolod, and Bishop Virgilio Amihan of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente pushed for thorough and impartial investigations into questionable public works and government projects.
The leaders called for addressing the roots of systemic corruption, exposing how it drained resources from essential social services, and amplifying collective voices strong enough to demand genuine institutional reform.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.