CITOM found, kept lamppost

CEBU, Philippines - One of the new lampposts installed along Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City which was believed to have been stolen was actually kept by personnel of the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) who saw it  on the road.

The lamppost, which was installed a few meters away from the Police Regional Office-7 headquarters was safely kept at the Citom’s engineering section.

Jimelon Jimeno, base control operator of the CITOM office, said it was in the morning of May 20, a Sunday, when their mobile patrol saw the lamppost fell from its decorative stand. This prompted their personnel to get the lamppost and placed it temporarily at the Fuente Police Station.

“Natumba and damage kaayo but wala mi kahibalo og nganong natumba posible nadasmagan ba kaha,” Jimeno said, adding that both bulbs were broken. (We didn’t know why it fell but it was really damaged.)

CITOM personnel took the lamppost from the police station the next day.

Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem, chairman of the CITOM Board, said their personnel did not immediately turn over the lamppost to the Cebu Beautiful Movement Foundation Inc. (CBMFI) because they were not aware about the movement.

“The CITOM personnel were not aware of the committee. And though I am aware of it, I am also not aware about the lamppost,” Jakosalem explained.

Upon queries at the CITOM office, Jakosalem disclosed that an accident transpired on Omeña Blvd. wherein a vehicle rammed at the said lamppost. The CITOM confiscated the license of the driver, who assured to pay for the damages.

Jakosalem also added that on the next CITOM board meeting, he will request that the beat patrol will also watch over the lampposts installed along the road so the beautification efforts will not be put to waste.

They will turn over the lamppost to the CBMFI today.

The CBMFI, for its part, is thanking Citom for keeping the lamppost.

Its chairwoman, Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung, appeals to all Cebuanos to help them in cleaning the city and report vandals to authorities.

“It is not easy to beg for donations. Ang mga ladies (members and officials of CBMFI) nato nagpabaga og nawong para lang mangayo og donations para mapanindot nato ang Cebu. For heaven’s sake, Cebuanos should participate intawon and help by not throwing their garbage on their streets. Dili na gani muhatag og donations bisan kana na lang, magsige pa gyud og panaway. Magtinabangay gyud tang mga Cebuanos aron ma-limpyo ni atong city,” Yeung said. (All Cebuanos should help in beautifying and cleaning up Cebu. Let’s stop the bickering and participate.)

Yeung donated P1 million for the beautification project. She said there are many ways that the public can help in keeping our city clean.“It is not enough that we only depend on the authorities to take care of our city. We need the public support. We need the participation of everyone. After all it is for our beloved Cebu. We must take care for our own city. Let us not only criticize people who are trying their very best in doing what is good for our city and our Sugbuanon. We must participate as a true-blooded Cebuano,” she added.

The CBMFI completed 72 percent of its beutification project from Fuente Osmeña to Capitol and from Fuente Osmeña to Osmeña Boulevard.

Yeung said that while they are working so hard to beautify the city, some people are just too irresponsible and cold-hearted.

Each lampost costs around P10,000. There are about 170 lampposts installed from Sanciangco St. to the Capitol.

Jakosalem said traffic enforcers will be tasked to help in securing the area and help ensure that lampposts and the sidewalk will not be vandalized.

“The lamppost is quite expensive. We will help them. We will assign traffic enforcers or beat patrol in roving the area. Nindot na ang atong streets nganha sa Osmeña Boulevard, we have to maintain it,” Jakosalem said.

Yeung added that beautifying the entire stretch from Fuente Osmeña to Sanciangco St., needs to be done in time for the cannonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod on Novermber 30, 2012.

The movement has been raising funds which will be used for this project. They conducted a Masquerade Ball last February that earned at least P10 million.

The Cebu City government has no counterpart on this multi-million restoration project which includes lighting the trees, installation of lampposts and putting bricks on the sidewalks. — (FREEMAN)