- CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Bacolod Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) needs 26 personnel to secure the city parks, including the public plaza and the Rizal Park, that were recently rehabilitated and beautified.
Retired Col. Primitivo Tabujara, head of POSO, presented the current situation of the parks owned and managed by the City Government of Bacolod during a recent public hearing at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall, presided over by Councilor Em Legaspi Ang, who proposed an ordinance assigning permanent guards in all city public parks, to prevent vandalism, property damage, and lawless acts.
Tabujara said there are already instances where vandalism occurred, adding the POSO needs 26 personnel to secure these places.
Budget Officer II Jean Castañeda said the POSO has enough funds to cover the additional 26 personnel.
Human Resource Officer Erman Aguirre suggested that, if necessary, the city may hire a private agency that may supply the armed and trained security guards to secure the public parks.
City Legal Office representative, Atty. Omar Demonteverde, said at the public hearing that the parks should also be secured 24/7.
Ang said these recommendations will be incorporated in her proposal that is up for deliberation by the SP in this week’s regular session, for second reading.
She proposed the Bacolod Parks Protection Ordinance, and stressed that it is necessary for the city government to assign permanent guards in all public parks under its jurisdiction and control, to prevent bad elements from entering the parks and ensure against vandalism and property damage.
Ang said the Department of Budget and Management earlier allocated P10 million for the beautification of the Bacolod City Public Plaza, and P9 million for the rehab of the Rizal Park.
The beautification of Rizal Park involved lamp posts and lighting installations, pocket gardens, concrete curbs, walkable areas, benches and permeable pavers. Rizal’s monument was also spruced up./CGC
