Cebu City Hall:Security in place sans blue guards

CEBU, Philippines — The current security setup at the Cebu City Hall will remain as is while the process of procuring a new security agency is being done, according to acting Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros.

Hontiveros, in yesterday’s flag raising ceremony at the City Hall grounds, told department heads to plot the schedules of personnel well for “shifting” for the security of their respective offices.

He reiterated what they have agreed on that “security is everybody’s concern.”

Concerned department heads were asked to submit a memo to the Human Resource Department regarding the shifts of their employees.

“Kay we will be doing this up to Friday or maybe extended for another week or longer. It just shows that we are working way beyond our scope of work…Thank you gyud sa inyong suporta,” Hontiveros said.

The city government is using their own internal security to secure the City Hall and its satellite offices along with the Cebu City Police Office and force multipliers after the contract with GDS Security Agency already ended and was not extended by Mayor Michael Rama for loss of trust and confidence in them.

The acting mayor also took the time to thank everyone who took an active role during their emergency meeting and helped in assuring the Cebuanos that the City Hall is safe.

“Pakpakan nato ang tanan na ni-contribute and will continue to do so until ma resolve ni nato nga issue,” Hontiveros added.

While the policemen, the city’s own internal security unit and force multipliers and disaster team are securing the City Hall, Hontiveros told employees to wear their ID’s at work for proper identification.

Meanwhile, Rama, though in Australia for a vacation, continues to monitor the situation here.

Rama also commended everyone led by Hontiveros as the team captain in keeping the city government safe and secured while he is away as well as with the peaceful and successful conduct of the BSKE 2023 and the Kalag-kalag 2023.

“I am very thankful nga maayo kayo pagkada nila, kay ensakto kayo ang mga punto gihatag sa grupo, convergence led by acting mayor Dondon Hontiveros and City Administrator, Atty. Collin Rosell and Atty. Jerone Castillo and the rest, you did a splendid job… Dako akong kinasingkasing nga pasalamat sa atong mga kaubanan, apil na tanang department heads, force multipliers and personalities you all did a wonderful performance with all the issues, concerns, activities,” said Rama via a live feed from Australia.

The mayor also added that he felt successful after seeing the rest as being “empowered.”

“Kaingon ko karon nga the City Hall is now in a better position to claim that all of you are already much empowered..and that I feel successful… Job well done,” Rama added. — (FREEMAN)