Mandaue City gears up for safe New Year revelry

CEBU, Philippines — Mandaue City police and fire authorities are gearing up to ensure “safe” New Year celebrations.

MCPO spokesperson Police Lieutenant Colonel Mercy Villaro told reporters yesterday that they are coordinating with other law enforcement agencies for the deployment of personnel as the city prepares to welcome the New Year today, December 31, 2024.

Villaro said they have maximized their personnel in terms of deploying in public places to ensure public safety and prevent potential incidents during the holiday. Based on their security plan, at least 300 police personnel have been deployed.

Villaro said there are no specific locations for the deployment of personnel, noting that Mandaue residents typically celebrate the New Year in their respective residences.

She added that the mobile patrol and beat patrol will be deployed mostly in the sitios and subdivisions where the celebrations are expected to take place.

Villaro added that they will also coordinate with the barangay officers to conduct roving patrols in their respective areas.

She said police deployment would help prevent crime during the event and also assist in enforcing and implementing the city ordinance banning the sale and use of firecrackers.

The MCFS, for their part, said their office is on “heightened alert” for the New Year’s Eve celebration.

MCFS Fire Marshal Superintendent Arnel Abella, in a separate interview, said that even off-duty personnel are on standby. Abella explained that in case of a fire incident or alarm, off-duty personnel will be alerted and will immediately assist the on-duty team.

“On call sila since kinahanglan man nato og manpower gyud if ever naay mga fire alarms,” said Abella.

Meanwhile, hospitals in the city, including the Mandaue City Hospital, are on “Code White alert” status, ensuring on-call doctors and nurses are available to respond to emergencies.

City Hospital Head Dr. Ligaya Lakambini Dargantes said that the hospital will operate on December 31 and is preparing for potential firecracker-related incidents, despite the city government’s ban on firecrackers.

“If ever naay mga incidents, of course, mudangop sila sa atong hospital tagaan ra gyud sila og attention and at the same time if ever simbako lang kung managhan man gani ang mga incidents,” said Dargantes.

Dargantes said the hospital is also prepared with the necessary equipment and medical instruments for possible emergencies.

Mandaue City, however, recorded no firecracker-related injuries so far this year. — (FREEMAN)