LBC Punta Princesa Branch (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
The management of the national courier company LBC will consult their lawyers to determine if Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama’s order to close their branches has legal basis.
Still, LBC press relations officer Vierna Naomi Venturanza said they are hoping for “favorable coordination” with the Cebu City government to secure their branches from robbers.
“Even with security guards, robberies happen so it’s really more of a question of security. We hope for a stronger collaboration with government and authorities to protect establishments who are just trying to do business,” she said.
Since several of their outlets were robbed, Venturanza said they need help from the government to also ensure that they and the rest of the community are safe from criminal elements.
Venturanza said LBC top executives are already talking with Mayor Rama but they don’t have a schedule of the next meeting yet.
Inviting
Several top Cebu business leaders said they understand Rama’s position on the LBC case.
Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Ma. Teresa Chan said LBC should close branches if they cannot afford to hire security guards or install or repair their security cameras.
“Since they have already been victims, their refusal to put up CCTVs and install guards can mean refusing to cooperate with the authorities and even tantamount to inviting lawless elements. They are also putting their own personnel at risk. Those considerations are part of responsible management,” she said.
Cebu Bankers Club board of director Prudencio Gesta said the repeated robberies in LBC branches can be considered an urgent security concern since it would create a negative image of the city’s peace and order.
“The city government and the police are simply enjoining LBC management to install at least functional security cameras if no security guards can be hired. While the police intensified visibility in the business area, they can only do so much,” Gesta said.
Based on the company website, there are 76 LBC branches in Cebu . Thirty are located in Cebu City.
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