Ilocos cops get moving to meet 5-minute response goal

The Police Regional Office 1 (PRO-1) in Ilocos is putting a renewed focus on fitness as it pushes to meet the Philippine National Police’s five-minute emergency response target—and it starts with trimming down the ranks.

According to PRO-1 officer-in-charge Brig. Gen. Dindo Reyes, 1,892 uniformed and non-uniformed personnel across the region have been classified as overweight or obese as of June 2025. Meanwhile, 7,723 officers fall within the normal weight range.

Those who need to lose weight have been given a year to shape up, following the directive of PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III. “Last week, we distributed weighing scales and tape measures to encourage them to monitor and manage their weight,” Reyes shared.

Physical fitness is not just encouraged—it’s a continuing qualification under Republic Act 6975, as amended by RA 8551. Failure to meet standards could have consequences for police personnel, Reyes warned.

To help officers in their fitness journey, PRO-1 has rolled out regular wellness activities. Zumba sessions are held every Tuesday and Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m. across all stations. Officers on duty during that time can take part in other physical activities like basketball or sports later in the day.

Reyes highlighted the connection between fitness and service readiness during a turnover-of-command ceremony in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

“As police officers, our duty demands more than just questions. It demands preparedness, endurance, and swift response,” he said. “We can’t protect the public if we’re not strong enough to respond quickly.”

The message is clear: PRO-1 isn’t just shaping up for show—it’s getting fit for faster, better service.