THE Cagayan de Oro City Government has activated its Incident Management Team (IMT) to ensure the protection and safety of the public for the 68th Charter Day celebrations slated for a week.
Police Superintendent Mardy Hortillosa, spokesperson of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO), said the city is still on Alert Level III which means that terror attacks can happen anytime.
But Hortillosa said the public should not worry as security measures are already being put in place for the activities.
Hortillosa said they are particularly focusing on the major events: today's flag-raising for the Independence Day, the City Mayor's Annual Report on June 15, and the Freedom Run on June 17.
"These events attract crowds that is why we are prioritizing stiff security for these activities," he said.
Meanwhile, the IMT is activated by the city's chief executive to prevent unnecessary loss of lives during disasters, stabilizing situation as rapidly as possible, protection of property, and the implementation of traffic scheme to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.
It composes personnel from the police, Roads and Traffic Administration, Red Cross, Bureau and Fire Protection and various line government agencies ready to respond to distress calls immediately.
City Councilor Romeo Calizo, chairman of the committee on police, fire and public safety, said the security sector has already been setup.
"We are ready for the peaceful security situation in the city," Calizo said.
Mayor Oscar Moreno meanwhile reminded the public that security is a shared responsibility and urged the residents to be vigilant at all times and coordinate with authorities.
Moreno also plans to organize and mobilize the barangay police as force multipliers for the week-long celebration.
The Charter Day celebrations kicked off with museum tours, and followed by a flag raising in Kiosko Kagawasan on Wednesday, June 13.
A Primer on the Local History of Cagayan de Oro will be launched on June 13, along with the Hala Kumbira, featuring Cagayan de Oro's heritage food, and the Himugso Cultural Show.
On June 12, a flag raising ceremony will take place at Kiosko Kagawasan, Divisoria to mark the Independence Day, to be followed by the city heritage sites’ walking tour.
A Primer on the Local History of Cagayan de Oro will be launched on June 13, along with the Hala Kumbira, featuring Cagayan de Oro's heritage food, and the Himugso Cultural Show.
On June 15, Mayor Oscar Moreno will deliver his Annual Report for 2018 to mark the City Charter Day, and on June 17 a Freedom Run for the public is scheduled.