Thursday, June 24, 2010

News update Baguio cops cited for massive cleanup drive

BAGUIO CITY - The city government here cited the elements of the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) for their active involvement in the clean and green campaign and efficiently discharging their duties and responsibilities to serve and protect the people. Baguio City Vice Mayor Daniel T. Farinas said the example shown by the local police force in cleaning the city's roads and overpass bridges is worthy of emulation and should be a wakeup call to the citizens to help bring back the cleanliness and beauty of this mountain resort city, the favorite vacation destination of foreign and local tourists alike. Admitting that the city's cleanliness has deteriorated due to the population boom, Farinas pointed out that people must maintain cleanliness at all times to prevent the spread of dreaded diseases.

Aside from cleanup drive and strict implementation of the city's anti-littering and anti-peddling ordinances, policemen were also involved in the clearing of the mouth of the City Camp lagoon to prevent floodings brought about by storng rains and typhoons. Senior Superintendent Roberto Quinto Soriano, BCPO officer-in-charge, said the massive cleanup activities being done by the law enforcers is their simple contribution in trying to maintain the city's title as the Summer Capital of the Philippines. According to Soriano, the strict implementation of the anti-littering and anti-peddling ordinances is part of their duty after they have observed individuals who continuously throw their garbage in public places and the proliferation of illegal vendors. The police official also appealed to the local government to revive the anti-smoke belching task force. With this, they can implement the provisions of the ordinance, apprehend violators and require them to undergo the necessary vehicle maintenance before can be allowed to ply the city's streets.

Soriano was disappointed over the worsening air quality in the city's central business district area caused by the vehicle pollution, saying that vehicle owners have become irresponsible by not undergoing regular maintenance checkups. Various government and private groups in the city also issued their commendations to the BCPO aimed at urging the local residents and visitors to observe cleanliness in their daily activities.