Finally Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama got what he wanted, a city police chief of his choice when Senior Supt. Noli Romana was appointed by Camp Crame.
Romanas replaced Senior Supt. Mariano Natuel Jr.
I’d like to commend Natuel for doing a good job during his short stint as Cebu City police chief. He’s received many commendations from the BOPK-led City Council and other organizations.
Even before Romana could take his seat as Cebu City police chief he was challenged by not-so-friendly officials. On his first day, Romana issued marching orders to his men to wipe out illegal drug activities in the city.
Romana has to show the mayor he was correct in recommending him for the post by producing a string of successful arrests. He has to prove himself to the people of Cebu City as well.
He must run after petty criminals who proliferate in areas identified as crime-prone.
The city government should also purchase more Closed Circuit TV cameras to monitor city streets , a big help in the fight against lawlessness. It is hoped that the City Council will see the importance of this investment and will no longer oppose their purchase.
I think Mayor Rama has to be creative in sourcing funds to finance the purchase of CCTV cameras by involving the business sector since the TV monitors will benefit the business sector first.
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Today,the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines will be held again in Lapu-Lapu City, with race courses extending to cities of Mandaue, Cebu and Talisay.
About 3,000 participants from different countries are joining the triathlon event, Hembler Mendoza, Lapu-Lapu city tourism officer, informed the 888 News Forum last Tuesday. I think everyone is excited by the international sports event, even our government agencies.
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I was informed that the Land Transportation Ofifice (LTO) is strictly monitoring the tourist transport sector by apprehending unregistered tourist car rentals.
The Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has implemented a moratorium on the issuing of franchises to tourist car rentals to the detriment of operators and owners.
The Department of Tourism has issued a new memorandum that requires that only new buses can be issued franchises. The policy was made without consulting stakeholders or considering the enormous amount needed to purchase brand new buses and its effect on the market which absorbs the cost of the brand new units.
Car rental companies were forced to buy new units without franchises to cope with the market demand from an increasing number of tourists coming to the country. They could no longer wait for the LTFRB to lift its ban on issuing franchises.
Car rental companies are helping the tourism sector meet the increased traffic of visitors in Cebu province. Yet government agencies are making their lives miserable and taking advantage of their unfortunate situation.
I hope the Office of the President will look into the matter in Cebu province since he boasted in his State of the Nation Address about the increase in tourism arrivals.
I think the LTFRB should lift its moratorium on the issuance of franchises because the moratorium is no longer applicable. It works against the interests of the tourism sector. Car rental firms fall prey to money-making ventures of some government agencies.