Lapu-Lapu heightens security amid series of LGU robberies

CEBU, Philippines - Lapu-Lapu City officials said they are being attentive and cautious after learning about the series of robbery incidents involving treasurer's offices in different Cebu local government units.

Mayor Paz Radaza said their City Treasurer's Office has a standard operating procedure in handling and keeping money for safety purposes.

The CTO, according to the mayor, does not keep large amounts of cash, instead it is immediately deposited in the bank.

"Dili mi magpundo og kwarta, i-deposit dayon (We do not keep money for too long, we immediately deposit it)," Radaza said.

The office where the cash is kept is secured by police securities and blue guards, Radaza said, adding that the office has a logbook, keeping the record of employees who have entered the area.

No job order employees are entitled to handle the city's cash accounts and only the designated employees under the treasurer's office are allowed to manage the cash.

The City Hall compound of Lapu-Lapu City has no closed-circuit television camera and Radaza said she has seen an urgency to set up these cameras within the compound.

The mayor said there will be a review for their supplemental budget and the financial plan to allow for the installation of CCTV cameras in the area.

Meanwhile, Police Senior Superintendent Armando Radoc, officer-in-charge of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, said police officers and blue guards on duty are obliged to sign the logbook.

Radoc said security personnel should do random checking in the area especially during wee hours of the morning.

The police director added that he reminded the police not to easily doze off for security and safety purposes.

There are two police officers assigned for the day time shift and another two designated at night time within the City Hall compound.

Radoc said a meeting for all the security officers in financial establishments in the city will be set on Friday in relation to safekeeping concerns.

Among the LGUs victimized by burglars recently were Toledo City and Mandaue City and the towns of Carmen, Sogod, Compostela and Pinamungajan. — (FREEMAN)