CITY OF MALOLOS —Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado signed an executive order (EO) temporarily prohibiting swimming and sightseeing in Sitio Bakas, Barangay Matictic in Norzagaray town, to ensure the safety of citizens.
EO 2, Series of 2017, entitled “An order regulating the conduct of field trips, educational tours, foot and off-road trekking and like activities along Sitio Bakas found at Barangay Matictic, Norzagaray, until after the improvement of early-warning devices in the said area”, was released on January 13.
Section 2 of the EO states the local government units concerned shall not issue any business or mayor’s permit for the construction of damara, kalandong, booths and other kinds to anyone and any establishment while completing the said precautionary measures.
Based on the Section 3 of the EO, once the installation of early warning devices is executed and the said area returned to operations, it will require anyone to file a request letter or written permission for coordination to the office of the mayor of the town and village hall, at least five days before going or conducting activities, which also required the guidance of barangay police who were in the area for additional security.
Supt. Rizalino Andaya, the acting chief of police of Norzagaray, said, “We have a public-safety plan in Angat river system for Bakas, Balugan and Pogpog, such as alarm systems, lifeguards, rescue equipment, such as salbabida, and prohibition of liquor.”
There is also a prevalent joint monitoring system, organized by the Philippine National Police, barangay officials and rescue unit in the vicinity of the rivers. They also have close coordination to the offices of tourism, municipal disaster and other stakeholders, he added.
The EO was issued after a recent drowning incident killed two students of Bulacan State University at Bakas River in Norzagaray town in this province.
The victims were identified by Bulacan police operatives as Jericho Burgos, 17, a second-year legal management student of Bulakan town; and Jaycie Ronwill Balitaosan, 19, a mass communication student of Meycauayan City.
Based on the investigation, the two students, together with their friends, went to Bakas River to shoot a short movie that would be entered in the Sine Bulacan Film Festival.