In a heartwarming display of community service, the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) extended a helping hand to displaced families in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental.
Bringing Comfort to Displaced Families
On January 15, 2026, personnel from PRO-NIR, under the leadership of its director, Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay, conducted a special gift-giving activity. The event was held at the evacuation center located in Barangay Poblacion, Moises Padilla.
The initiative was carried out in close partnership with the local barangay officials of Poblacion. The Moises Padilla Municipal Police Station also provided crucial support to ensure the activity's success.
A Thoughtful Response to Community Needs
According to Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, chief of the PRO-NIR Public Information Office, the team carefully assisted a total of 59 families. This effort impacted 217 individual evacuees who are currently staying at the center.
Each family received thoughtfully prepared packages containing essential items. The gifts included:
- Rice and snacks for nourishment.
- Slippers for basic comfort.
- Toys to bring smiles to the children's faces.
Malong emphasized that the activity was about more than just distributing goods. It aimed to bring joy, comfort, and a much-needed sense of relief to families enduring the emotional strain of being displaced from their homes.
Service with a Heart: Building Trust and Hope
The police officers' presence offered significant reassurance to the evacuees. Malong observed that children beamed with excitement upon receiving the gifts, while parents expressed quiet gratitude. Elderly residents, in particular, felt comforted by the genuine care shown by the uniformed personnel.
This initiative is a core example of PRO-NIR's commitment to people-centered policing. The organization strives to reach beyond traditional law enforcement duties by engaging in compassion-driven programs that directly touch lives.
"Guided by service with a heart, the organization remains committed to bringing not only safety, but also hope, dignity, and humanity to the communities it serves," Malong stated.
The gift-giving activity in Moises Padilla stands as a powerful reminder that compassion remains at the heart of genuine public service, fostering stronger bonds between the police force and the community they are sworn to protect.
