THE proposed ordinance for implementing enhanced safety and security measures in Davao City was passed on third and final reading on October 18.
An Ordinance Institutionalizing the Enhanced Safety and Security Measures in Specified Areas and During Big Events in Davao City, authored by First District Councilor Atty. Luna Acosta, aims to enhance the safety and security measures that will be implemented in select crowded areas, as well as during big events in Davao City.
“Mao ni siya ang ordinansa na makatabang sa atoa, labaw na sa mga instances na daghan kaayo og tao diri sa Davao City because we have Kadayawan, Pasko Fiesta, maski kalag-kalag magamit kini nga ordinance (This ordinance will help us especially during instances when there are a lot of people in Davao City like Kadayawan and Pasko Fiesta, even Undas),” Acosta said during an interview with the media on Monday, October 24.
These specified areas are mostly points of entry to Davao City where the general public usually converges, namely the Davao International Airport, Old Sasa Airport Terminal, Philippine Ports Authority, DavSam Wharf, MaeWess Wharf, Sta. Ana Wharf, Sasa Mini Pier (KM 11), and Davao Fishport Complex also known as Toril Fish Port.
For points of entry via land, the specified areas are the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal and existing control checkpoints in barangays Lasang, Sirawan, Lacson, Eden, and Malagos.
Government buildings and public open spaces are included as well, namely the City Hall, Sangguniang Panlungsod, Hall of Justice, People’s Park, Magsaysay Park, San Pedro Square and Roxas Avenue.
Enhanced security policies will be put in these areas including security personnel, mobile patrol units, maintaining CCTVs by the government and private establishments, and designated parking areas and vehicle inspections, among others.
The ordinance also promotes security meetings, workshops, and simulation exercises such as anti-terrorism forums for the benefit of the general public including residents and vendors, as well as the private sector.
On the other hand, for the conduct of big events, organizers are required to submit a security plan while the security cluster will maintain the usual, but enhanced, security measures such as deployment of K-9 and Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams, and conduct emergency safety inspections among others.
Task Force Davao commander Col. Darren Comia said on Tuesday that the ordinance will help unitize the security measures and policies that will be enforced in Davao City.
“Yung ating current na ginagawa ngayon, nabigyan lang siya ng ngipin, na-concretize siya. Para ng sa ganon, mas maging maayos. Meron tayong reference, meron tayong isang tinitignan na ordinansa na maipapatupad (It will concretize and give teeth to our current practices so that it will be better and become more organized. We would have one reference, one ordinance as guide for all the measures we will implement),” he said during a radio interview.
Acosta added that the ordinance will also ensure that the implementing agencies and security forces will be able to properly execute the measures and give legal basis to the existing security practices of the city.
“Gusto nato na kabalo tanan Dabawenyos na kining mga regulations, naa ni siya in place dili para samok-samokon ta, na istrikto na kaayo ang Davao City (We want Dabawenyos to know that these regulations are not meant to hassle us or make the city more strict), but it’s to ensure na safe ta tanan (that we are all secured) when we enter these areas ,” she said. (ICM)