In view of complaints raised by barangay officials from Tondo about the dark streets which result in more holdups and crimes and with the coming fiesta of Sto. Nino next week, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim ordered City Electrician Engineer Ernesto Cuyugan to make immediate arrangements with the Manila Electric Company for the installation of 200 watts lights in all major streets of Tondo.
Barangay chairmen and kagawads from District 1 (Tondo) complained this morning at People’s Day of the dark streets which have become conducive to criminals.
But Engineer Cuyugan reported that his men just completed replacing some street lights from 75 watts to 200 watts (as ordered by Mayor Lim before the Christmas holidays) but that these had been stolen.
In this regard, Mayor Lim directed the barangay officials to be responsible for monitoring and protecting all streetlights to be installed in their respective areas so these will not be vandalized and stolen again.
Cuyugan also said that several illegal connections and electrical pilferages have been found on the lampposts where his men replaced the lights but that each time they remove the illegal connections, his men receive threats for doing so. Lim told Cuyugan to coordinate with the police and barangay officials during their operations.
The feast of Sto. Nino begins with a Lakan at Lakambini ng Tundo elimination on Jan.8 and the finals on January 16. On January 10 is the Lakbayaw festival that will cross through 14 major roads.
On January 14 is the Natatanging Anak ng Tundo awards along Plaza Hernandez and on January 17 a pagoda procession at the Manila Bay and Plaza Vitas. On January 18, the actual day of fiesta is a procession at the Tondo Parish from 4:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.