Dev’t council OKs CCTVs for disaster monitoring

INSTALLING closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in disaster-prone areas around Cebu City may now proceed after city officials explained that the procurement of the equipment no longer needs City Development Council (CDC) approval.

City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete told the CDCmeeting yesterday that the procurement of the CCTV cameras is under the peace and order program of the mayor.

He further explained that the budget was charged to the calamity fund on the suggestion of the City Council.

Councilors Nida Cabrera and Margot Osmeña earlier questioned the project saying appropriation of the calamity fund needs the approval of the CDC.

Cabrera cited the joint memorandum circular was issued by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Interior and Local Government dated March this year.

The circular specifies that the city disaster fund plan should be approved by the CDC first.

But Poblete said the appropriation was done before the joint memorandum took effect.

Last May, the Cebu City government installed a CCTV camera system worth P15 million in 20 major intersections around the city and ten in the office of the mayor.

The Police Coordinating and Advisory Council (PCAC) chairperson Eugene Elizalde earlier said that the CCTV cameras can help deter and solve crimes in the city.

But aside from crimes, Alvin Santillana, operations head of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CCDRRMC) said the cameras will also be used to monitor disasters. He said the CCDRRMC will be integrating monitoring of the cameras in their disaster command center.

While CCTVs are currently installed in major intersections in the city, the disaster management office wants more of these equipment cameras in disaster hazard prone areas in the city, too.

After the explanation, Osmeña instead asked for papers and documentation on the CCTV procurement process.

To also comply with the circular, the CCDRRMC requested an amendment on the 2013 Annual Investment Program of Cebu City to include the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund. This was approved by the body.

The PCAC originally pushed for at least 90 CCTVs in the city estimated to cost P200-300 million.

But the council only approved a P15 million budget for 30 CCTV cameras./Correspondent Jose Santino S. Bunachita