PNP Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office

SAFE NIR PROGRAM AND THE PUSH FOR A MORE RESPONSIVE POLICE FORCE IN NEGROS ISLAND

Barely three weeks into his leadership as director of the Police Regional Office – Negros Island Region, PBGen. Romano Cardiño is already setting a clear direction for policing in the island.

His flagship initiative, SAFE NIR, is still in its early stage, but it already signals a shift toward more visible, responsive and community-focused law enforcement.

Many Filipinos still question the effectiveness and sincerity of police service.

Against this backdrop, Cardiño’s SAFE program presents a straightforward message: policing should be present, felt and trusted by the communities it serves, while remaining firm against criminality.

SAFE stands for Seen, Appreciated, Felt and Extraordinary. The idea is simple but demanding. Police officers must be visible in communities through stronger patrol presence.

They must earn appreciation through discipline, professionalism and respect for human rights. Their presence must be felt not through fear, but through safety and assurance.

And every officer is expected to deliver service that goes beyond the minimum standard, even in ordinary duties.

Since assuming office, Cardiño has begun strengthening police visibility operations and intensifying anti-criminality campaigns across Negros Island Region.

He has also reinforced coordination with local government units and community leaders, recognizing that peace and order cannot be achieved by the police alone.

His push for SAFE NIR Dial 911 reflects a stronger focus on faster emergency response, allowing citizens to seek immediate assistance during urgent situations.

What makes SAFE NIR stand out is its attempt to balance enforcement with public trust-building.

It does not focus only on arrests and operations, but also on how the police are perceived by ordinary citizens. In modern policing, legitimacy is just as important as enforcement.

However, three weeks is still too short to measure long-term impact.

Crime trends, response times and public satisfaction will ultimately determine whether the program delivers real and lasting improvements.

What can be assessed now is direction, and in this area, Cardiño appears focused on discipline, visibility, and urgency.

NIR, as a newly established policing jurisdiction, is still finding its footing.

SAFE NIR may serve as a framework not only for crime prevention, but also for rebuilding confidence between the police and the public they serve.

For now, it offers a clear message: policing must be closer to the people, more present in communities and more consistent in delivering safety.

-NIR

Sa pagwagayway ng ating watawat ay buhay ang diwa ng pagkakaisa, katapangan, at pagmamahal sa bayan.

Nakibahagi ang Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office sa paggunita ng National Flag Day bilang pagpupugay sa simbolo ng ating kalayaan at sakripisyo ng mga bayaning Pilipino. Sa pangunguna ni PCOL DENNIS C WENCESLAO, PD NOcPPO muling pinagtibay ng bawat kawani ng NOcPPO ang kanilang panata na maglingkod nang may integridad, disiplina, at tunay na malasakit sa sambayanan.

Ang watawat ng Pilipinas ay hindi lamang simbolo ng bansa—ito ay paalala ng ating tungkulin bilang lingkod-bayan para sa isang ligtas at mapayapang pamayanan.

Sa bawat pagpapalit ng pamunuan ay kasabay ang panibagong hamon at mas matibay na pangakong paglilingkod sa mamamayan.

Pinangunahan ni PCOL DENNIS C WENCESLAO, PD NOcPPO, ang Turn Over of Office Ceremony ng Talisay CCPS kung saan pormal na ipinasa ni PLTCOL ALVIN CHRISTOPHER L BAYBAYAN ang pamumuno kay PLTCOL SALVADOR M TRONO JR bilang bagong OIC ng Talisay CCPS.

Nawa’y magsilbi itong inspirasyon na ang tunay na liderato ay nakabatay sa disiplina, integridad, at malasakit sa komunidad para sa mas ligtas at mapayapang Talisay City.

NOCPPO Weekly Accomplishments

A meaningful start to the week as the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOcPPO), led by Provincial Director PCOL DENNIS C WENCESLAO, conducted the Traditional Monday Flag-Raising and Awarding Ceremony at the NOcPPO Parade Ground on May 25, 2026.

The ceremony recognized the dedication and outstanding performance of various police units in promoting peace, order, and public safety across the province. Silay CCPS earned the highest UPER score for the CCPS category, while Pontevedra MPS topped the MPS category.

Also recognized for their valuable contributions to NOcPPO’s operational accomplishments were Kabankalan CCPS, Calatrava MPS, Cadiz CCPS, Murcia MPS, San Carlos CCPS, Silay CCPS, Escalante CCPS, Hinoba-an MPS, La Castellana MPS, and Pontevedra MPS. Their commendable efforts reflect the unwavering commitment of every personnel in delivering quality police service to the people of Negros Occidental.

Congratulations to all the awardees and personnel for your continued dedication, hard work, and exemplary service. Together, we remain committed to upholding professionalism, integrity, and excellence in public service.