VM Bucao says sorry to Poblacion officials

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Vice Mayor Alan Bucao has apologized to Barangay Poblacion officials after they were offended by the city's ongoing fencing project at the city college.

Bucao said the city government did not have any intention to offend the barangay officials when it started fencing the Talisay City College.

Its intention was allegedly to curb illegal activities around the school during night time. The City Engineering Department implemented the fencing project upon the approval of the city council.

The project stemmed from the recommendation made by the college administration.

It was Bucao who sponsored the resolution to put up fence around the school.

"Ang atong gi-fence is the compound of the school. Asa man sab ta makakita og eskwelahan nga wala'y fence. Ato lang gilikayan nga ang atong mga estudyante mahalikay sa mga dautan ilabi na uso kaayo ang fraternity ug malikayan ang eskwelahan sa vandalism (what we have fenced is the school compound. Where do we see a school without a fence. We only want to protect our students from bad elements especially from fraternity and to avoid vandalism in school),"Bucao told The Freeman.

According to Bucao, the city government is taking care of the school considering that once upon a time, it was a seat of the municipal government.

Barangay officials in Poblacion have been slighted and requested an explanation from the city for its failure to inform the barangay about the project.

In a resolution, Poblacion officials led by Barangay Captain Teodoro Belleza asked Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez for the details.

"The school is located in Barangay Poblacion, we see no reason why the barangay should not be informed of any major activity taking place within the barangay," the resolution reads.

Councilors Joseph Odilao and Rodolfo Cabigas however believe there was nothing wrong and malice in the construction of the fence

"Wala man ta'y laing tumong ug tinguha aning pagbutang sa fence kun dili ang general welfare sa tanan (we do not have any other motive in putting up the fence except for everybody's general welfare)," Cabigas said.

Opposition Councilor Romeo Villarante however believes that the fence can destroy the cultural significance of the edifice.

"That building should be used for cultural or convert

 it to museum," Villarante said. — THE FREEMAN