• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has issued an executive order creating a task force against vandalism.
In his executive order dated April 23, Benitez said that the proliferation of acts of vandalism has been observed in different public and private areas of Bacolod, including but not limited to walls, doors, bridges, overpasses, and even inside school premises.
The mayor further said that vandalism has an adverse effect on the quality of life in various communities in Bacolod City, creating an undesirable impression of disorder and lawlessness in the city.
Task Force Against Vandalism is composed of all Bacolod City barangay captains, Philippine National Police, Departments of Social Welfare and Development, Interior and Local Government, Public Order and Safety Office, Bacolod Traffic Authority Office, and the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Data from the Department of Social Services and Development showed that many of the vandals are minors so the department is ordered “to take charge of the handling of the violators.”
Benitez earlier ordered the barangays and Sangguniang Kabataan to strictly enforce the curfew ordinance for minors in their respective areas.
“The damage caused by graffiti related vandalism depreciates the value of property it defaces, and affected property owners in clean up expenses each year,” the EO stated.
It added that Bacolod City, inspired by the values of cleanliness, health and wellness, as well as arts and culture, aspires to become a community free of all vandalism visible along its streets, public and open spaces.
Atty. Caesar Distrito, spokesperson of Mayor Benitez, earlier said that the city government is looking at putting up Expression or Freedom Walls in different vacant areas of the city where the vandals “are free to express their emotions and opinions as a form of self-expression,” as provided in the ordinance.*
