ILOILO City – How do you solve a problem like vandalism, specifically those annoying graffiti?
The Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) plans to put up “freedom walls” where vandals can plaster graffiti all they want.
“Para sa mga kabataan, sa mga artistic, para maka-express sila,” said PSTMO chief Jeck Conlu.
Vandalism is defined as willful acts that damage or deface property belonging to another person or to the public.
Spray-painted graffiti on walls, streets, public benches, and trees among others are eyesores that make the city dirty, Conlu lamented.
“Mabutang kita freedom walls either sa mga plazas or the esplanade para ma-discourage sila mag-vandal sa iban nga areas,” said Conlu.
He believed most of these graffiti vandals are youngsters.
The freedom walls would be cleaned every three months to accommodate fresh graffiti, said Conlu.
PSTMO, in partnership with the Iloilo City Police Office, is launching on Nov. 17 the program “Ilonggo Kontra Bandalismo” to be participated by city government and barangay officials, students and other stakeholders. Vandalized structures or spaces would be cleaned or repainted.
A city ordinance that prohibits the writing, drawing, painting, marking or inscribing on any public property or private property any word, slogan, caricature, drawing, mark or, affixing, posting up or displaying on any public property or private property any advertisement, bill or notice, without the consent of the owner./PN
