City gov’t to turn 5 villages into ‘discipline zone’
The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) is conducting an assessment of the city’s five waterfront barangays that will be the site of the proposed “discipline zone.”
The creation of the “discipline zone,” covering barangays Gen Hughes, Concepcion, Veterans Village, Sto. Rosario-Duran and Zamora Melliza, is part of the city government’s beautification program aimed to revitalize the area and make it safer for visitors.
It is expected to complement the new Iloilo City Hall that will be completed in 2011.
Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said another plan is to rehabilitate the Plaza Libertad, situated in front of the city hall.
A walk tour from the Plaza Libertad towards the Rotary Park, which will be developed into a ferry terminal for Guimaras-bound passengers, will then be encouraged, and allow the public to pass through the “discipline zone.”
Part of the plan for the zone is to remove illegal barriers, organize sidewalk vendors, and intensify police visibility in the five barangays.
Mabilog had earlier said he has already discussed the plans with the leaders of the affected barangays, with Chief Supt. Cipriano Querol Jr., police regional director.
Result
Senior Supt. Marietto Valerio, ICPO officer-in-charge, said they will wait for the result of the assessment because it is not easy for them to immediately implement the plan given its possible impact to residents.
He said residents whose source of income includes sidewalk vending will be affected.
Valerio said they are looking forward to the success of the project and they need the cooperation of the public to make it work. *PNA
