The Iloilo provincial government has stepped up security in the Iloilo provincial capitol complex as the redeveloped facade and the Christmas lights decoration attracted a big crowd during its unveiling.
Four officers from the Iloilo Police Provincial and four provincial guards rove from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily to assure security around the premises, Aaron Raymundo, General Services Office (GSO) head, said in an interview.
“The day after the opening, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. called for a meeting to review on how to maintain the cleanliness and at the same the security in the area,” Raymundo said.
Aside from the roving guards, Raymundo said there were additional security men on duty at the entrance near the Casa Real de Iloilo or the old Iloilo provincial capitol.
To augment the security measures, the GSO is currently in the process of buying 24 Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTVs) to be installed on the premises.
“Our supplemental budget of PHP800,000 is for the installations of CCTV,” he said.
Raymundo estimated that on Monday and Tuesday, more than a thousand Ilonggos have flocked to the redeveloped capitol complex and the Christmas installations.
At 8 p.m. on Wednesday, he noted there were still several spectators enjoying the vicinity.
Most of the visitors at the complex were students from universities and colleges here, employees who came along with friends after working hours, and families who even came from towns in the province.
With this, the GSO said they started implementing the house rules on Wednesday to maintain cleanliness and protect the project.
“There will be no smoking, no chewing gum, no vendors, and no food allowed inside the complex,” he said.
The security will also be strict not to allow the entry of vehicles, bicycles, skateboards, among others.
The GSO also appealed to the parents and guardians to keep an eye on their children who might be at risk in Christmas wirings.
“Also, we ask them to keep off the grass as it is still sensitive,” he said.
Raymundo said the capitol Christmas lighting has been one of the most-anticipated Christmas projects in this city yearly.
While it opens from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily, he said the capitol will extend the lighting up to 11:00 p.m. a few days before Christmas. (PNA)
