‘PNP-AFP Detachment in Kamagayan will not Solve Problem’

•Councilor James Anthony Cuenco, in a privilege speech, proposes police-military detachment in Barangay Kamagayan to solve rampant drug addiction and prostitution in the area.

Mayor Michael Rama is not amenable to the proposal of his team mate Councilor James Anthony Cuenco to deploy a police-military detachment in Barangay Kamagayan to solve the drug addiction and prostitution problem in that place.

Cuenco, chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Tourism, is worried by the worsening drug problem and prostitution in Barangay Kamagayan and this prompted him to deliver a privilege speech last Wednesday during the City Council session where he proposed the deployment of a PNP-AFP detachment in the area.

Kamagayan is a small, thickly-populated barangay situated in the heart of Cebu City, a stone throw away from the city’s downtown area.

The popular area, which has been tagged as the barangay’s “red light district”, is situated in between the streets of Junquera, Sanciangko, D. Jakosalem and P. Del Rosario Street.

Aside from deploying of police and military troops in Kamagayan, Cuenco also suggested that more lighting facilities and CCTV cameras shall be installed in the area to discourage illegal drug personalities and commercial sex women to operate in the area.

But the mayor said instead of deploying police and military personnel in Barangay Kamagayan, the best way to solve the existing problem on drug addiction and prostitution in the thickly-populated barangay is to establish additional roads.

Rama said the city already plans to establish road networks in Kamagayan and he reminded officials of the Department of Engineering and Public Works and the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor to realize the project not later than October 28 —Rama’s birthday.

Rama explained that the plan is to build a new road that will traverse the mid-portion of Junquera Street across to the other side of D. Jakosalem Street, while another road will be also built from the mid-portion of P. del Rosario to Sanciangko Street.

The mayor further said once the new road networks are finished, the re-blocking of the area will follow.

According to Rama, the officials of Barangay Kamagayan have already agreed to support City Hall’s plan to establish a new road network in the barangay.

“Kun may access road na unya diha, unya ma-reblock na ang area masulbad na ang problema sa drug addiction ug prostitution diha sa Kamagayan,” Rama said.

The police tagged Barangay Kamagayan as one of the seriously drug-affected barangays in the city. Even during daytime, injectable drugs can be easily availed.