Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod in Dumaguete City scored what they believe was a big slap on their face, on alleged efforts to undermine their duties and responsibilities by certain department heads in the City who were directly involved in the preparation for a big event dubbed Earth Day Jam held Thursday.
City Councilor Nilo Sayson lamented and admonished City Tourism Officer Woodrow Maquiling Jr., Traffic Management Officer Danny Atillo, and even the Office of the City Mayor for closing the entire stretch of the Rizal Boulevard since Tuesday until Friday morning when the authority given by the City Council was only on the day of the concert which was Thursday, Aug. 20.
Sayson was emotional in expressing his anger because for the last 27 years that he had been a City Councilor and chairman of the Transportation Committee, he said, this is the first time that he was “fooled” by persons who were responsible for the closure of a major thoroughfare that had caused tremendous bottlenecks and traffic jams in Dumaguete for about 70 hours or so since Aug. 18.
Councilor Manny Arbon brought the issue before the City Council Wednesday after receiving a complaint from a tricycle driver, from motorists, and the public that they were surprised as to the sudden closure of the Rizal Boulevard when they knew the approved closure was only for Thursday.
Councilor Arbon said it is time to revisit the policies on closure of streets in the City, pointing out that major thoroughfares should not be closed from the riding public, to include the Rizal Boulevard, Perdices St., and Real St.
For most of the City Council members, including Tony Remollo, the action of the organizers is not only unauthorized but also illegal. “What is disheartening to note is for the TMO and the motorists to blame the City Council as responsible for the traffic congestion, when the authority given was for only one day,” he said.
In lieu of the inconvenience brought about by the closure of a major road artery, Councilor Nelson Patrimonio had suggested for the demolition and dismantling of the stage.
Tourism Officer Maquiling and TMO officer Atillo, including City Engr. Edwin Quirit, appeared before the regular session Wednesday to clarify and shed light on the incident.
Maquiling admitted the lapses, and apologized to the members of the City Council to have overlooked the requirement for more days to construct and assemble the huge stage where the sound system and lighting equipment were set up.
According to Maquiling, the organizers and the committee realized they could not finish the set-up in just one day because the stage was so massive like the one used in Earthday Jam concerts in other parts of the country.
He said they were supposed to make another request for another permit but had overlooked the matter.
But according to Sayson, even if they made the request, as chairman of the committee on Transportation, he said he would not have endorsed it had he known the stage was going to be assembled across the street, not alongside Rizal Boulevard.
Councilor Arbon said he hopes no complaints will be filed against the City government, especially from commercial establishments or even public transport groups, while Councilor Sayson cited a Supreme Court decision where a traffic officer and a mayor were dismissed due to a similar incident.
Meanwhile, Supt. Jovito Atanacio, chief of police of Dumaguete City, admitted Wednesday that security for the Earth Day Jam, as well as the 11-day Founders Day celebration of Silliman University are major concerns.
He said this is due to the pullout of police personnel from Dumaguete City and other municipalities and cities in the Province for temporary assignments in Cebu to beef up security for the activities of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation beginning this month.
The Philippines is hosting the APEC 2015 with several activities lined up in key cities in the country this year.
At least 40 personnel from the Dumaguete police station were deployed to Cebu, but despite the “depleted” police force in Dumaguete, Supt. Atanacio assured the public they will exert their best effort to maintain peace and order, and address criminality in the City beginning Wednesday through the end of August.
There will be reinforcement from the Armed Forces of the Philippines through the Philippine Army units here, and the Regional Public Safety Management Battalion-7, and the Provincial Public Safety Management Company of the Philippine National Police, Atanacio disclosed.
Civilian “force multipliers” such as the village watchmen shall also be tapped, as well as coordinating with the City’s Traffic Management Office for a smooth and orderly flow of traffic in the City, he added.
Also, the City Police is coordinating with Silliman University’s safety and security force to ensure that this year’s 114th Founder’s Day celebration of the University will be peaceful, considering the expected influx of thousands of alumni and visitors arriving in Dumaguete, according to Atanacio. (PNA/JG)
