PIA Press Release
Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Bulacan fountain to help in preventing crimes

CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan, Jan. 18 (PIA) -- A P2-million fountain of water is definitely an added attraction, but there’s more to it for a booming Bulacan town. It will help curb crimes especially at night.

Savemore Market, a chain of neighborhood grocery stores under the SM Food Retail Group, formally turned over yesterday to Baliuag town the said fountain which measures 22 feet in diameter and was built in the center of Glorietta Plaza in Barangay Poblacion.

In the event witnessed by scores of teachers, senior citizens, municipal government employees and students, Mayor Romeo Estrella together with town officials led the ceremonial opening of the fountain which was made of black porcelain tiles with royal blue and apple green mosaic tiles.

“Our town is now very lively, very enthusiastic. The blue color of the fountain symbolizes peace and the green is for hope. The hope is here in Baliuag but we need to strive,” said Estrella in Filipino.

Estrella added that the municipal government did not spend anything for the construction of the new attraction which took about five months in the making.

According to Savemore’s operations manager Gina Nievera, the community of the 140,000-strong town will benefit from the added attraction as it paved way for positive changes in the plaza frequented by people day and night.

Nievera said the 24-hour operation of the fountain will help in lighting the previously dim plaza at night which reports said became a hub of prostitution and other illegal trade.

“It is the objective of Savemore to improve the community, to build a community. It is possible that the thinking of the people on doing illegal activities at night might change because the place is already lighted,” said Nievera in Filipino.

She added that since the fountain became operational in December, she observed cleanliness was already maintained in the area which serves as a vending place of sellers and hang out place of youth and students.

The Baliuag Polytechnic College wrapped up the turnover ceremony with a mini concert led by its Performing Arts Society, Chorale, Brass Band and Musicians Society. (WLB/JMG/PIA 3)