GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/ 27 July) – The city government has allocated around P400 million for the installation of a synchronized traffic signaling and city-wide closed-circuit television or CCTV camera systems.
Dr. Agripino Dacera Jr., head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), said they have started the initial procurement process for the systems, which will be installed before the end of the year.
He said the project involves the installation of around 200 high-resolution CCTV cameras and additional 30 traffic signal lights in major streets and public areas within the city’s 26 barangays.
Dacera said they are targeting to complete the procurement process within the current quarter to facilitate the acquisition of the items before December.
“These will be installed all around the city and hopefully they will be operational by next year,” he said.
The official said City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, who endorsed the project as among the local government’s top priorities, has created a project management team to fast track its implementation.
The areas that would be covered by the systems have already been identified by the team and are currently on the drawing board, he said.
Rivera pushed for the installation of the synchronized traffic signaling and city-wide CCTV system to help monitor and address traffic problems as well as security-related concerns.
Under the project, the CCTV cameras will be set up in key points within the city’s downtown area and in traffic lights.
The 24-hour monitoring and management of the CCTVs will be handled by a command center under the supervision of the CDRRMO.
The command center, which will also serve as the city’s emergency and operations base, will be situated at the new CDRRMO building. (MindaNews)