City to install CCTV in upstream rivers

THE City Government of Davao is planning to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras that would monitor water level of Davao River and other tributaries.

Major Magno Adalin, Davao City Public Safety and Security Center (PSSCC) chief, speaking in Thursday’s I-Speak Forum at the City Hall, said they will also install sensors and wireless radio systems in the areas of Tamugan, Lacson and Calinan as pre-emptive measures especially during continuous rain.

Adalin said the scheme will be called the Telemetric Monitoring System (TMS) and is planned to be set up in Tamugan and Lacson rivers, identified as upstream branches of the Davao River.

He said the TMS is needed since human monitoring is not enough to determine if the water level are normal, or are already in excess. The system will have CCTV cameras transmitting images of water levels.

He said it will also be equipped with water level sensors that could send data and images in real time, adding that this give them enough "lead time to prepare" in case of flood incidents.

There is no system presently placed to warn people if the water level of Tamugan and Lacson rivers would overflow to the Davao River.

Adalin said they have already communicated with the supplier of the CCTVs in the city if they could produce a prototype of the CCTV-based Telemetric Monitoring System in the meantime.

A total of 18 barangays were affected by floods on the night of January 19 after Lasang, Davao and Lipadas, and Talomo rivers overflowed.

Roberto Alabado III, City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) acting chief, earlier said that based on the latest data from the CSSDO as of 8 a.m. of January 23, the total number of affected families in the city rose to 14,011 families or 42,618 individuals.

The CSSDO data also showed that 40 houses were destroyed while 22 others were damaged.

Maria Luisa Bermudo, City Social Services and Development Office head, said they are set to give financial assistance to the affected families after the City Council on Monday approved the utilization of the five percent calamity fund. (ANC)