News Briefs

Lapu Fire Prevention Month

THE Lapu-Lapu City Fire Department will conduct random inspections to prevent illegal tapping of electrical connections, a  usual cause of fire.

District Fire Marshal Supt. Victor Vibares said they will inspect first houses in urban areas after they received reports that most informal settlers are illegally tapping their electrical connections.

The month-long activity, in cooperation with the Mactan Electric Co. (MECO) and the police, is part of the Fire Prevention Month  celebration, which is celebrated every March.

Today marks the kick off of the celebration with the theme “Magkaisa, Makialam at Makipagtulungan Upang Sunog ay Maiwasan.”

There will be a mass at the Bureau of Fire Protection Office at Pahina Central and  a motorcade will follow.

Tomorrow, the Lapu-Lapu Fire Department will open its program w ith a Mass followed by a motorcade that will end at the Hoops Dome, where the program will be held.

Another highlight of the celebration is a refresher seminar and training for all the barangay risk reduction and disaster volunteers.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza said each barangay has a disaster group with trained firefighters.

Radaza also said a brand-new fire engine truck will be turned over to the Lapu-Lapu City Fire Department within the month.

But Vibares said they still need an aerial ladder.  The fire department has seven fire trucks and breathing apparatus.

During the Fire Prevention Month, the fire department is also open to students for educational visits. /Correspondents Fe Marie D. Dumaboc And Norman V. Mendoza

Radaza: Curb Lapu Crimes

LAPU-LAPU City Mayor Paz Radaza challenged the acting city police chief to curb illegal gambling.

“My marching order is to have a great improvement in eradicating petty crimes, illegal gambling and make our barangays video carera-free because it has become very rampant in the city,” Radaza said.

Senior Supt. Lyndon Lawas assumed as acting Lapu-Lapu City police chief last week.

Radaza is hopeful that Lapu-Lapu would be crime-free especially that Lawas also heads the Police Regional Intelligence Division.

Lawas told reporters that after the turnover ceremony, he immediately met with station chiefs and administrative officers to plan a more effective approach in reducing crimes.

Police detailed in offices will also have to spend two to three hours in the street.

Lawas said even if he is the concurrent head of RID, he will devote most of his time in Lapu-Lapu City./Correspondents Fe Marie D. Dumaboc and Norman V. Mendoza