ILOILO – Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. has announced plans to strengthen security protocols at the provincial capitol following a recent theft incident in the Provincial Legal Office.
He outlined the establishment of the Provincial Civil Security Group as a key component of the medium-term security enhancements.
This new unit will operate under the Provincial Civil Defense Service and will be responsible for hiring 25 multi-role security guards.
These guards will not only secure the capitol premises but will also serve as first responders during disasters or calamities.
Defensor clarified that the creation of the Provincial Civil Security Group has been in the planning stages for some time and is not solely a reaction to the recent theft. In fact, he said, four out of the 25 planned positions have already been filled, with these individuals currently serving dual roles as security personnel and emergency responders.
The recruitment of the 25 guards is also seen as a strategic move to gradually replace the aging and retiring guards currently employed at the capitol.
“We are hiring them not just because of the incident; this is really part of enhancing the Provincial Civil Defense Service. These multi-role responders will ensure the security of our assets and replace our retiring provincial guards,” said Defensor.
According to Aaron Raymundo, head of the Safety and Security Personnel at the General Services Office, the capitol is currently manned by 17 provincial guards who rotate duties, supplemented by an additional three police personnel.
In addition to bolstering the guard force, Defensor is considering requiring all visitors and personnel transacting at the capitol to wear identification cards (IDs).
This potential policy shift aims to balance accessibility with heightened security needs.
“We will see if this is beneficial for us. Our goal has been to keep the capitol accessible to everyone, but given our security concerns, we need to evaluate what’s best,” Defensor explained.
He also advised all department heads and office chiefs to ensure that someone remains in the office during the flag-raising ceremony every Monday or to lock up if the office is unattended.
Defensor acknowledged that while closed-circuit television cameras are installed on all six floors of the capitol, they cannot cover every area of the offices. He suggested that having a person present or locking offices when empty could enhance security further./PN
