At least a thousand security personnel have been deployed to parts of the city in line with the annual Christmas festival dubbed Pasko sa Gensan 2019, which will be formally held on Friday night.
Maj. Rexor Jake Canoy, the spokesperson of the city police office, said Thursday all police units are on strengthened alert and full deployment for the entire festival until December 31.
The deployment covers all festival venues, especially at the city’s oval plaza grounds, Canoy said, adding that security teams will be augmented by personnel of the Army-led Joint Task Force GenSan, civil security unit, barangay peacekeeping teams, and other volunteer groups.
“We have also assigned teams to secure other public convergence areas, like shopping malls, churches, and terminals,” he said in an interview.
The Pasko sa Gensan 2019 initially had a soft opening on Wednesday night. It featured a drum and glockenspiel competition and the pre-judging of the Christmas Icon Village Around the World at the oval plaza grounds. The grand opening on Friday night will be highlighted by the Christmas around the world-themed float parade and variety show.
Other activities lined up are the Pyrotechnic Competition, Libreng Pelikula sa Oval Plaza, Battle of the Bands, Pamilya Got Talent, Art of Ligaw: Movie Screening with actor Epy Quizon, Choral Festival, Regional Hip-Hop Competition, and Christ-MASS Dance Competition.
Nightly shows are also lined up at the oval plaza, which will host a flea market, food strip, and carnival.
Canoy said, “We will strictly implement the necessary security measures to ensure the peaceful and smooth conduct of the festival”. As in the previous festivals, Canoy said they will prohibit the carrying of backpacks, as well as bladed and other deadly weapons. He added that they will strictly enforce the city’s standing ban on smoking in public areas.
Pasko sa GenSan 2019 is co-presented by the city government and the Department of Education’s city division.
The local government allocated some PHP3 million for the holding of the festival, which is themed “Sama-saya ng mga Heneral sa Paskong Global.”
Source: PNA
