The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) will enforce the use of the BaCTrac (Bacolod Contact Tracing System) identification card for those entering its headquarters this coming Monday.

“We would like to inform the public that BCPO will strictly implement the ‘no BaCTrac, no entry’ policy upon entering (our) premises starting May 3,” the BCPO announced on Facebook on Wednesday.

According to its Public Information Office, the policy will “help in the fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19)”.

Recently, there has been a surge in cases among the Bacolod police personnel, particularly in Police Station 4, where some 14 officers contracted the virus.

Col. Manuel Placido, police city director, said he encourages the police officers not to let their guards down and always be safe.

“I also ask the cooperation of the people in the fight against Covid-19 by doing their share in the information dissemination and following safety precautions,” he added.

Most of those who tested positive are considered asymptomatic, but as a precaution, Placido directed all personnel to undergo surveillance testing to monitor the Covid-19 cases within the BCPO.

All Bacolod police personnel have been subjected to a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test since April 24.

While waiting for the results, they have been advised to strictly observe health and safety protocols at home and while on duty.

On Tuesday, the offices, buildings, and facilities inside the BCPO compound located in Magsaysay Avenue were disinfected by personnel of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).

According to the CDRRMO, all the 10 police stations across the city have been decontaminated as well. (PNA)