DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 5 Apr) – The repair of the city’s traffic signalization system would be completed by June 2019.
Dionisio Abude, head of the City Traffic and Transportation Management Office (CTTMO), said in an interview Thursday that the Dabawenyos could expect a better traffic once repair works on the system on 63 pedestrian and light junctions are completed.
He said the city government has allocated P10 million for the traffic signalization project, which also includes replacement of the hardware and budget for the re-wiring of the traffic lights, most of them built back in 2006, amid complaints of the Dabawenyos against the non-functioning traffic lights.
Abratique and Associates, the private contractor handling the project, will complete the repair in two months, according to Abude.
A press release from the City Information Office last February 8 said the “the repair and rehabilitation of the traffic lights will make the city capable of re-implementing the no physical contact apprehension of traffic violators. The no physical contact apprehension was previously enforced in the city through the help of an operator that monitored the cameras, which are installed at intersections, from the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC).”
Abude said the traffic lights would be ready for the installation of sensors for the High Priority Bus System (HPBS).
“There would really be no changes. It’s just another gadget that you need to install – a sensor – to anticipate the bus coming,” he said
The city government initially plans to implement the interim phase of the HPBS within the second semester of 2019, with at least 25 low-floor or city buses. At least 10,000 workers will be needed once the full implementation of the HPBS is completed by 2021.
The city government will also install additional 200 closed circuit television cameras (CCTVs) here as the city “needs more eyes on the ground,” PSSCC head Benito de Leon said.
De Leon said that the city government had already approved a budget worth P30 million for the procurement of additional CCTVs to cover more major thoroughfares.
“We can cover the major thoroughfares. The city has expanded very fast. The city is so wide. We have four road networks, and our population has grown,” he said.
De Leon said there was no schedule yet on the installation of the CCTVs, which will take two to three weeks.
“We want it the soonest. It depends on the delivery of procured items,” he said.
The PSSCC, created through Executive Order No. 18 Series of 2012, is tasked to “provide protection, security, safety and risk management to the people of the city,” and operates “through coordinative approach to address the different issues of safety and security relative to Crime, Terrorism, Security, Traffic, Health and Social Services, Emergency Services, and Disaster Risk Reduction by using information, people, technology, and intelligent solutions.”
De Leon also urged the establishments and the churches here to install CCTVs.
“Not all establishments here are compelled to install CCTVs. Only those whose capitalization is P2 million and above are mandated by law to install. There are business establishments whose capitalization falls below. We have enjoined everybody, the city mayor enjoins the Catholic church to install CCTV cameras in and outside the churches and parishes to help ensure safety of our churchgoers,” he said. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)