A PROVE policing strategy is now taking root in Eastern Visayas as PBGen. Romano Cardiño brings his signature SAFE program to his new command at Police Regional Office 8.
Dubbed S.A.F.E. Eastern Visayas: DIAL 911, the initiative carries forward a system that gained traction during Cardiño’s leadership of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region.
SAFE stands for Seen with Integrity, Appreciated through Professionalism, Felt through Action and Extraordinary Police Service — a philosophy built on the belief that police presence must be visible, accessible and responsive.
Its impact in Negros Island was measurable. From June 4 to August 16, the emergency hotline received 364 calls that led to 53 arrests.
During its first month, calls rose to 258 from only 20 before implementation, while arrests increased from three to 15.
The program also supports PNP Chief PGen. Jose Melencio “Tateng” Nartatez Jr.’s vision of a police service that is “Mabilis, Tapat at Nararamdaman.”
It complements the nationwide Unified 911 system by turning emergency calls into timely police action.
In Eastern Visayas, DIAL 911 will provide a unified channel for assistance involving crimes, accidents, fires, medical emergencies, disasters and other critical incidents.
The initiative aligns with the PNP Focused Agenda and Safer Cities Initiative.
To sustain its implementation, PRO8 will follow the 3Ps: Preparation, Program Implementation and Post-Evaluation, ensuring personnel readiness, effective execution and continuous assessment based on community needs.
For Cardiño, SAFE is more than a transferred program. It is a leadership philosophy carried from one regional command to another.
In Eastern Visayas, the challenge is clear: be seen when needed, respond when called and make every police action count.
