Council seeks upgrade of CCTV cameras

CEBU, Philippines —  With safety and security of paramount importance, the Cebu City Council has asked concerned departments to update them about the current status of the city’s closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and upgrade the equipment if needed.

The City Council believes that CCTVs are crucial in monitoring public security and safety.

As a highly-urbanized city and everything going back to normalcy, constant video surveillance, particularly in highly populated areas, traffic light junctions, and major establishments is required.

With this, the City Council, through the resolution authored by Cebu City Councilor Jaypee Labella, has urged the Cebu City Transport Office (CCTO), Management Information and Computer Services (MICS), and other concerned Cebu City Government offices “to report and update the SP Council on the current situation of our Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras.”

“This initial step will enable us to implement disaster quick response measures and promote peace and order in our city. Thank you to my esteemed colleagues in the council for their unwavering support,” Labella said in a post.

Reports have reached Labella’s office that the city’s CCTVs are experiencing “downtime.”

As such, it can compromise the public security and the safety of the Cebuanos.

With this, the City Council is also looking into upgrading the CCTV systems in the city for it to be cost-efficient as it will reduce CCTV maintenance and have easier management systems.

Labella, in his resolution, cited Section 16 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, which states that, “every local government unit shall exercise the powers expressly granted those necessarily implied therefrom, as well as powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental for its efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare.”

The Sangguniang Panlungsod, as the legislative body of the city, for its part, is expected to enact ordinances, approve resolutions, and appropriate funds for the general welfare of the city and its inhabitants.

In particular, the City Council also wants to know if there is a need to upgrade the CCTVs situated in traffic light junctions. — GMR (FREEMAN)