Council questions P15-M cameras purchase

THE purchase of 20 closed circuit TV cameras installed at some Cebu City streets and at the mayor’s office for more than a month now was questioned by the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) council bloc yesterday.

Councilor Margot Osmeña said the purchase was made even before the City Development Council (CDC) and the City Council approved the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund Investment Plan which included the cameras.

“We want to look at the documentation because there were steps that were not followed,” said Osmena when asked what they intend to do next.

Rama said in a separate interview that the council should review the city’s 2013 budget ordinance which authorized the CCTV purchase.

Section 1.1 of the specific provisions of the budget ordinance sets aside P15 million for the purchase of the cameras to be “charged to the five percent Local Risk Reduction and Management Fund.”

About 10 cameras were installed on streets located near city hall while another 10 cameras were set up at the mayor’s office.

Eugene Elizalde, head of the Police Coordinating and Advisory Council, said the cameras will help monitor the flow of traffic and peace and order.

He said the PCAC recommended purchasing 91 CCTVs worth P200 million to P300 million.

Cathy Yso, executive director of the City Risk Reduction Management Office, said the mayor’s office worked on the camera purchase charged to the 2013 disaster funds.

Yso said the purchase was not yet paid because ther was no obligation request endorsed to her office for her signature.

Osmeña told Yso that the purchase was “irregular” since it had no CDC and Council approval.

But City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete said only the approval of the Local Disaster Management Council is needed for the disbursement of disaster funds.

Councilor Nida Cabrera said the city disaster fund plan should be approved by the CDC before this is presented to the City Council.

“We cannot act on this unless CDC meets and approves of the fund plan,” Osmeña said.

The CDC meets once every quarter. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac