Additional security needed for plaza, fort

CEBU, Philippines – The Cebu City government will be tightening the security at the Plaza Independencia and Fort San Pedro after reports of loss of construction and other materials.

Dr. Librado Macaraya, manager of the plaza and the fort, said that he has requested the Plaza Independencia and Fort San Pedro Rehabilitation and Development Project Team, where he sits as acting presiding officer, to hire at least three blue guards who will secure the area especially during the night.

"That's one of the concerns we are trying to address now kay daghang kawat sa wirings. Just recently, four water pipes were stolen and nobody was even able to notice it. Imagine, kataas anang mga pipes, nakuha nila without anybody noticing. Not even the nearest police station," Macaraya said.

Currently, there are Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau (CIIB) personnel who are assigned in the area.

But Macaraya said that the problem with the CIIBs is that they could not compel them to compensate the city for what were lost or destroyed under their watch unlike when they hire from security agencies.

"Besides the commitment is not there because, imagine, they are only paid P100 per day," he added.

The ground works for the restoration of the plaza is expected to start this month shortly after the city Bids and Awards Committee awards the P16.9 million contract to the winning bidder.

The plaza shall be restored according to what it was like way before the American Period. This means that it will be mostly an open green space except for the pavements for pedestrian.

The vertical structures that will remain are only the kiosk, the fountain, the Legaspi obelisk and other monuments.

The city hired the Humabon Architects from the University of San Carlos to take charge of the appearance of the plaza.

Macaraya said they will be putting round benches and not the long ones to discourage sleeping just like what is happening in Fuente. (FREEMAN)