CEBU, Philippines - At least 18 closed-circuit television cameras amounting to almost P1 million were installed in Carcar City in time for its 5th charter celebration yesterday.
Mayor Nicepuro Apura said the city decided to purchase the cameras to address the persistent problem of criminality, including the shooting incidents involving rival fraternities Alpha Kappa Rho (AKRHO) and Tau Gamma Phi.
No less than the mayor’s son, Carl Vinson Apura, was shot dead during a concert in Barangay Valladolid last May.
Cameras have been installed in strategic areas like the Plaza Rotunda, public market, and in places where people gather.
Apura is optimistic that the CCTV cameras can help curb criminality and help identify crime suspects.
Aside from the CCTV cameras, Apura said the city also purchased four motorcycles to augment the capability of the local police, particularly in patrolling the city.
Meanwhile, the city yesterday awarded 16 Carcaranons who have graduated with honors since Carcar became a city in 2007. The awardees received a plaque of recognition from the city government. The awarding was among the highlights of the city’s charter celebration.
The awardees are Charisse Kate Claracay (BS in Industrial Engineering); Maria Rema Fernandez (BS in Commerce-Business Administration); Jhodee Rogodon (BS Computer Science); Ma. Theresa Yap (BS in Secondary Education); Lhoven Larrobis (BS in Mechanical Engineering); Edmond Emperio (BS in Accountacy); Ana Mae Villamor (BS in Elementary Education); Joseph Karl Contento (BS in Mechanical Engineering); Mark Nhiven Soterol (BS in Information Technology; Rose Mary Camingao (BS in Medicine); Hervy Alejandro De Dios (BS of Law); Brenda Lyn Babao (BS of Law); Gemma Grace Pineda (BS of Law); Ligaya Victoria Barcenas (BS of Law); Kim Niño Cantero (BS in Tourism) and Arile Batino (BS in Management Accounting).
Carcar became a component city in July 1, 2007, but the City Council passed a resolution changing the commemoration date to July 7, 2007 (7-7-7) for “easy recall.”
Yesterday morning, the city has inaugurated several projects, including its new slaughterhouse at Tacdog, Poblacion III; the Carcar City College Academic Building; Carcar Public Market Improvement; and two classroom buildings at the Napo Elementary School.
The city logo was also unveiled.
The celebration were attended by Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia, 1st District Rep. Eduardo Gullas, 3rd District Rep. Pablo John Garcia, Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas, Jr. and other city officials.
It was Rep. Gullas who authored Republic Act 9436, the Carcar Cityhood Law.
Carcar, located about 39.9 kilometers south of Cebu City, is considered a heritage city because it is home to various Spanish and American period structures. At its plaza is the Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria, which was erected in 1876 and just a walking distance away are many century-old houses, which include, among others, the famous “Balay Na Tisa” built in 1859. (FREEMAN)