Dagupan City (June 27) -- This city needs a three million peso budget for the repair of toppled streetlights when typhoon Cosme invaded Dagupan a month ago.
City officials as well as residents have noted that lights at the downtown area and at the two main bridges- Perez and Quintos-- during night time are quite dim as most electric posts and electrical connections were destroyed by the strong winds.
Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez expressed alarmed that a dim Dagupan could invite more 'akyat-bahay gangs' and more cases of theft and robbery.
"It is sad that streetlights in the downtown area and even in some barangays were destroyed. We have to act immediately to prevent crimes especially theft." Fernandez said.
Fernandez added that the city cannot just take this for granted considering a dozen or more typhoons are expected within the coming months.
City Engineer Virginia Rosario said her office has requested for an initial P600,000 for the repair of the lights, including some decorative lights.
Another cause of concern are the open manholes whose lid were either blown away during the typhoon or were stolen.
Rosario said of the 32 destroyed manholes, 14 have been repaired. More work on these entails a budget of P36,000, she added.
