City official to BCPO: ‘Strengthen campaign vs vandalism’

June 11, 2022 Metro BLISTT

Councilor Mylen Victoria Yaranon passed a resolution urging the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) to strengthen the city’s campaign against all acts of vandalism.
The resolution was unanimously approved by the Baguio City Council during its regular session last Monday.
Yaranon asserted that the BCPO needs to double its efforts in preventing individuals from defacing public and private properties.
According to her, the city’s achievement of being designated as a Creative City for Crafts and Folk Arts” by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is “being [undermined] by individuals who deface and destroy public and private properties which is an act of public nuisance that needs to be fully attended and prevented.”
City Ordinance 41-2008 or the “Anti-Graffiti Code of  The city of Baguio” prohibits defacement of any city-owned or privately owned property and possession of materials used to carry out acts of vandalism like aerosol spray or broad-tipped indelible marker, paint, marker, pen materials or instruments while near or within public or private property.
Anyone found to have violated the said rule shall be punished with a fine of P1,000.00 to P5,000.00 or one to 15 days of community service.
Subsequent offenses shall be punishable by a fine or imprisonment of one to 30 days or both. In 2020, Yaranon passed a resolution urging the barangay officials and the BCPO to be vigilant in deterring all acts of vandalism in public places and places that showcase works of art following a vandalism incident where a mural made by local artist Venazir Martinez and funded by the National Commission for Culture and Arts was defaced with graffiti.
Yaranon said the defacement and destruction of properties speak volumes about the lack of public discipline.
“Vandalism serves no purpose other than destroying the image of public places and damaging properties,” Yaranon said.
“In preventing acts of vandalism in public places and in places that showcase works of art, not only do we maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of a place but also show appreciation to the talents and efforts of our local artists,” she added.
Sangguniang Panlungsod/JGH