BACOLOD City Lone District Representative Greg Gasataya has ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPHW) and the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) to conduct a thorough investigation on the stealing of the manhole cover in front of Robinson's Place Bacolod in Barangay Mandalangan Monday evening, June 21, 2021.
Gasataya said Tuesday, June 22, that he already requested BCPO Director Colonel Manuel Placido to conduct an investigation on the incident.
He said they gathered footage of the closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera in the area that showed two unidentified men stealing the manhole cover.
He said the suspects forcibly detached the manhole cover and fled using a motorcycle.
District Engineer Jaime Javellana said they already placed a temporary cover in the area, which is located on a sidewalk, to avoid accidents.
He said the manhole was constructed by the utility company in the city and they also requested the company to replace the steel cover.
He said they also asked the BCPO to intensify its visibility patrol in the area to pre-empt the possible operation of lawless elements.
Javellana urged the scrap owners in the city not the buy the stolen manhole cover.