Cagayan de Oro City Councilor seeks enclosure of areas under bridges

Councilor Calizo

CAGAYAN de Oro City--“The city will not allow this,”  stressed Councilor Romeo V. Calizo, chair of the City Council committee on police, fire and public safety, noting that areas under bridges are  being used as lairs of criminals and potential criminals.

The councilor recently held a meeting with representatives of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD), Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO), and City Engineer’s Office, to discuss possible solutions to the problem.

The councilor said he  inspected the Ysalina Bridge, JR Borja, Marcos Bridge, and Bayabas-Puntod, among others to check these areas, which are  classified as No Build Zones.

A representative of the CSWD said a meeting was already held with the city engineer on suggestions to block areas under the Ysalina Bridge and other bridges.

Aside from the engineering work that  needs to be done, Calizo  said appropriate signs should also be installed in No Build Zones. 

Barangays should also take part in solving the problem, Calizo added, citing the need to educate the public on this concern.

VISIBILITY

One of the issues also raised was the lack of police visibility.

According to Councilor Calizo,  the lack of communication equipment and vehicles for the police are also factors that must be looked into.

Calizo assured that the City Council  is taking cognizance of these needs.

The councilor  assured that his committee will be supporting projects and programs of COCPO for a stronger peace and order drive.

“We need a police that is highly mobile,” he added.

He  requested the local police office to submit its Alpha List, if not classified, on the disposition of police per station.

SITUATIONER

The committee will convene again this week to discuss with the COCPO, CSWD, City Engineering Office, Office of the Building Official and other concerned departments and agencies problem areas on various peace and order issues.

“Planning starts with a situationer,” Calizo stressed.

He said all problem areas will be consolidated during the meeting after which appropriate solutions will be discussed.