For peace and order: PB mulls provincial alarm system

The Provincial Board yesterday took up a proposal for the establishment of a Cebu alarm system to address some problems on peace and order in the province.

During the session, PB member Gabriel Luis Quisumbing filed a motion requesting the peace and order committee to study the possible adaptation by the province of the "amber alarm system" of the United States of America.

Quisumbing cited the slow response period of authorities to crime incidents, such as the killing of businessman Wilson Yu, among others.

With an alarm system in place, any person could quickly relay reports of crime incidents and emergency situations to authorities, which in turn could react with dispatch. "This will give assurance that Cebu is a safe place," said Quisumbing.

The PB then tasked the peace and order panel, headed by PB member Jose Maria Gastardo, to undertake feasibility, budgetary and logistical matters of the planned alarm system.

In related development, PB member Victor Maambong moved that a public consultation be done with peace and order officials of towns and cities in the province.

"Its about time that we sit down and listen to them once again, from the chiefs of police or army, the problems in their respective areas, so that we can share in what way the Provincial Board can help improve the situation," Maambong said.

Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez then ordered the Office of the Provincial Secretary to coordinate with the Gastardo panel to set a schedule for the consultation.