Safety command center yet to be turned over

DAVAO CITY Mayor Sara Duterte clarified that the Public Safety Command Center (PSCC) has not yet been turned over to the City Government.

The PSCC received much attention last week as Councilor Nilo Abellera Jr. delivered a privilege speech expressing disappointment after Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte visited the command center on August 26 and found out that nobody was manning it.

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Abellera motioned that the City Council committee on peace and public safety chaired by Councilor Paolo Duterte immediately conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation.

Mayor Duterte explained the manning of the PSCC is still under its contractor as the traffic signalization phase has yet to be competed.

"Kung dili pa fine-tuned and dili pa ready ang traffic signalization nato, I refuse to accept it as anything less than perfect," Duterte said Thursday at PSCC, where she met with the organization members of the Davao City Oplan Laban Terorismo.

"Wala gyud nay personahe dira sa traffic signalization division sa PSCC after 9 p.m. Kung mapansin ninyo diba pag 9 p.m., wala na naga-work gina-off nato ang traffic lights," she said.

The city mayor said the PSCC is also being financed by the project implementor, Abratique and Associates Inc., which earlier said the PSCC costs P704 million for its Phase III alone.

"Ang PSCC, ang nagapadagan is ang contractor. I do not know gi unsa niya pagbudget for PSCC," Duterte said.

She added the PSCC's purpose as of now is for traffic signalization.

"The number one purpose of those CCTV cameras there is for traffic signalization. Those areas with CCTV cameras monitoring, these help in operating the traffic system. If there are streets that are clogged up, then the traffic operator will be able to adjust the timing on the traffic signalization. Number 2 priority is for security wherein there is ongoing monitoring because everything is recorded. These recordings can be reviewed in aid of investigation," Duterte said in vernacular.

She said she would welcome if the City Council "decides to study the responsibilities of the PSCC."

"The crafting of laws is under the City Council. That is not my job, ilaha man na" Duterte said.

As to the inquiry to be made by the committee on public safety and peace and order, she said she has "no problem" with it.

The PSCC, brainchild of the vice mayor, serves as the nerve center of the city's traffic signalization and 17 stage-of-the-art CCTV cameras that are said to have cost P704 million for Phase III alone.

Created under Executive Order 12, it also serves as a venue for coordination on matters of public safety for other offices and departments, both local and national. (JCZ)