SHOULD there be a signal shutdown enforced during major citywide events held in Cagayan de Oro City?

 

Not necessarily, said Councilor Roger Abaday who proposed ‘a layered security approach’ instead of a signal shutdown to be enforced during select crowd drawer events of the just concluded Higalaay Festival and other major activities held in the city.

 

In his special report during Monday’s (Sept. 1) regular session of the 21st City Council, Councilor Abaday—who chairs the committee on public order and safety—said the proposal stemmed from a complaint by a city-based business organization who said the signal shutdown was a ‘Jurassic, outdated (security practice).’

 

Abaday said signal shutdowns were not imposed in major festivals held around the country like the Sinulog Festival in Cebu City and the Kadayawan Festival in Davao City. He said while signal shutdowns as proposed by the city police and law enforcement agencies have its advantages, there were also disadvantages.

 

‘While signal shutdown prevents the detonation of explosive devices and criminal communications (by disrupting) cell phone signals…the signal shutdown also affects emergency health services, business operations and wireless (cash transfers/withdrawals),’ Abaday said.

 

While saying that public safety is the principal reason cited for enforcing the signal shutdown in the city, Abaday proposed that the ‘layered security approach’ be reviewed by the council’s committees on trade and commerce, public order and safety, tourism and public utilities.

 

For his part, Councilor Christopher Goking also proposed that the committees on health and education be included in deliberations for the proposal./Text by SC with CIO photos by Jomar Figuracion