Authorities prepare for school opening

CEBU, Philippines - Coordinating and Advisory Council (PCAC) yesterday met with law enforcement agencies.

Presiding the meeting was PCAC chairman Eugene Elizalde, with Cebu City Police Office chief Mariano Natuel, Jr. and City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) chief Atty. Rafael Yap among other council members.

Elizalde said the police forces assured visibility near school campuses in addition to barangay tanods posted.

“This is to prevent kidnapping and petty crime incidents,” the PCAC chief told reporters. He also urged parents to refrain from having their children wear jewelry and other things that would invite snatchers and other criminals.

Apart from peace and order, traffic situation is a major concern this June.

“I challenged CITOM to strictly enforce traffic rules. Some drivers do not follow the loading and unloading rules right under the enforcers’ nose. Other stop right in front of “no unloading signages,” Elizalde explained.

Capitol area was the area of concern that Elizalde wanted CITOM to fix.

“Kanang atubangan sa Capitol. It is becoming a jeepney stop. That has to be fixed,” he stressed. He also noted a new campus of St. Benedict Childhood Education Center along Panagdait road, barangay Kasambagan, adding to existing congestion during rush hour.

Yap, for his part, said the matter will be discussed by the CITOM board today (Wednesday).

“CITOM will undertake all necessary preparations to ensure that traffic will be smooth on the start of classes. Included in these preparations are the re-orientation of enforcers on the rules and regulations that must be followed in their area of responsibility. We will discuss in tomorrow’s (Tuesday) CITOM board meeting other measures including expanded cooperation with the PNP for traffic measures during start of classes,” Yap explained.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Cebu Station, meanwhile, is preparing for student-passengers.

Cdr. Winiel Azcuna, head of the PCG Cebu Station, said that they will be activating a passenger assistance center (PAC) in the different ports of Cebu. Aside from this, Azcuna said that they will also double up the inspections inside the ships to see if these are seaworthy. - Jessa Chrisna Marie Agua,  Niña G. Sumacot and Marigold P. Lebumfacil/JPM