THE Sagay City Police Station's 15-foot Christmas tree decorated with 250 mufflers and 100 fake driver’s licenses. (Sagay City Police Station)
BACOLOD CITY – The Sagay City Police Station in Negros Occidental unveiled a 15-foot Christmas tree decorated with 250 mufflers and 100 fake driver’s licenses on Monday, Dec. 1.
Police Lt. Col. Alvimar Flores, Sagay City police chief, said the concept of their Christmas tree and Nativity scene aims to raise public awareness on City Ordinance No. 2015-002 or “An Ordinance Regulating the Operation of Motor Vehicles with Modified Mufflers within Sagay City.”
Flores said all these mufflers and fake licenses were confiscated by authorities from checkpoints and other police operations, as well as vehicular accidents, since last year.
Having a love for art, Flores thought of a unique Christmas design that would symbolized enforcement, education, and responsibility as a reminder that peace begins with discipline on the road.
“Instead of being stored at the police station and destroyed by a road roller, we thought of creating something new out of these,” he said.
Flores said that it would also erase the thought that confiscated mufflers are being recycled. “The display would just mean good vibes,” he added.
He believed this is also an effective way to educate the public about the ordinance.
Flores thanked the city government headed by Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva for his strong support and presence during the unveiling.
Lanterns were also displayed using drift wood gathered from the seashore.
Each section of the police station has created its own Christmas décor for a friendly competition.
The winning section will receive P10,000 cash and will be announced during their year-end fellowship on Dec. 18.