Rama has the final say on temporary signal shutdown, says PRO-7 director
A child holds up his Sto. Niño statue during the Opening Salvo of the 458th Fiesta Señor in Cebu City on Thursday, January 5, 2023. | Morexette Marie Erram
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The top official of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) said that plans to temporarily shutdown mobile signal during the Fiesta Señor and Sinulog Festival are not yet final.
Police Brigadier General Jerry Bearis, the PRO-7 director, said Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has the final say on whether or not to implement the temporary signal shutdown on January 14 and 15.
Bearis said they will have to discuss this with Rama and the other city officials and the Sinulog organizers the plan before this will be finalized.
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has already approved the request of PRO-7 to implement temporary signal shutdown during the weekend as a security measure.
“That is only a proactive measure by the Philippine National Police here in Region 7…Whatever the recommendation of the honorable Mayor, we will abide by the wisdom of the Mayor,” Bearis said.
“Properly naman yung latag ng ating security personnel and nakita nyo naman na we always conducted simulation exercises on the different activities. I believe that the celebration will be fruitful and we will succeed on this endeavor,” he added.
NTC-7 Enforcement and Operation Division head Engr. Felipe Gumalo Jr., confirmed that a memorandum was issued by their central office to allow temporary signal shutdown during the Fiesta Señor and Sinulog Festival based on the request made by the PRO-7.
If a decision is made, NTC-7 will be the one to coordinate with the Telcoms to facilitate its implementation. Signal shutdown during the Fiesta Señor celebration was first implemented in 2017, Gumalo said. “Subject pa na siya (request) for approval. I think mag-estorya pa pod siguro sila with Mayor Rama. Igo ra man sad mi modawat sa request, modirect sa mga telcos,” said Gumalo. He said that usually telcos will submit to them a list of cellsites that will be deactivated.
Rama had already said that a temporary signal shutdown was unnecessary. He is asking the police to reconsider its implementation.
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