CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Board has requested the Cebu Provincial Police Office to assist local government units in improving their security system and in protecting their respective treasuries.
This following the series of burglary in different treasurer’s offices committed in less than a month time.
The PB, through a resolution sponsored by Board member Arleigh Sitoy, described the robbery incidents that claimed big amount of funds as “quite alarming.”
“Such break-ins and robberies have proven how easy it is for lawless elements to break into government property without sending any alarm and how easy it would be for them to escape unnoticed,” the resolution read.
It further added that, “Apparently, such measures and improvements have to be made to prevent any more unnecessary losses.”
The request was made as the PB urged the LGUs to update and improve their security systems especially on areas where they keep their valuables.
The body said through the resolution that some vaults within the offices were outdated, if not broken, which were vulnerable to criminals.
In addition, there was also no closed-circuit television footage to help in the investigation process.
“Security within the municipal hall and offices were found to be lax despite the fact that there was money in their vault,” the resolution stated.
In a span of around two weeks, five burglary incidents involving LGUs were recorded.
These took place in the municipal halls of Sogod, Carmen, Compostela, and Pinamungajan and the city hall of Toledo.
The treasurer of Toledo, together with Cebu Treasurer’s Association President and Capitol’s treasurer, was earlier invited by the PB to shed light on the burglary and “in aid of legislation” where security concerns and police visibility were discussed.
Board Member Grecilda Sanchez, who heads the PB committee on budget and appropriation, suggested that a policy should be created to prohibit treasurers from keeping huge amount of money inside their offices on a weekend. (FREEMAN)