Wednesday, April 02, 2008 Private firm may be tapped to secure 2 Mactan bridges
THE Mactan Cebu Bridge Management Board (MCBMB) is floating the possibility of outsourcing security operations for the two bridges that link the island of Mactan with mainland Cebu.
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, MCBMB chairperson, opened the idea, saying there are some security companies that offer a security system that includes closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, monitoring and immediate response to alarms.
Home systems cost P500 to P750 per month, while the MCBMB spends at least P116,000 in securing the two bridges, according to the report of the board’s strategic planning committee.
The figures were presented by public sector representative Engr. Pericles Dakay.
Garcia plans to invite security system providers when the board holds its regular meeting next month.
Also discussed during the regular MCBMB meeting yesterday were the busted traffic lights along the approaches of the two bridges.
Garcia asked whether the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 can do something about the repair of traffic lights, a persistent problem of the MCBMB.
However, the governor wants Gampik Construction and Development Inc. to be left out of the solution after constantly “bouncing off the issue.”
Gampik was accused of disabling traffic lights along United Nations (UN) Ave. in Mandaue City when they made diggings last December 2006 to install street lights for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit.
DPWH 7 Assistant Director Marlene Alviso explained that the traffic lights along UN Ave. were turned over to Mandaue City after the Asean summit, but that the local government unit failed to pay for the electricity expenses.
Mandaue City Assistant Legal Officer Eliseo Ceniza Jr. explained that the debt was incurred by the previous administration.
Dakay moved for a motion to sign a memorandum of agreement between Mandaue City and MCBMB, for the board to take over the maintenance of the approaches of the two bridges, which the board approved.
Change
On the issue of traffic, Mandaue City 701st Maritime Station Chief Insp. Greg Togonon also suggested that a U-turn slot on the bridge approaches be constructed, for emergency use.
“That is a major structural change. I fail to see why you are making such suggestions when your (duty) involves security that is under the bridge,” Garcia told Togonon. She noted that the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) should not be making proposals involving land traffic.
“It was only a matter of suggestion,” explained Togonon.
PNP 7 Director Ronald Roderos will look into it, adding that the security committee “will come up with a report (on the suggestion) next meeting.”
Also on the agenda was the progress report on the repair of the wiring of the CCTV cameras.
During the last meeting on Feb. 27, Provincial Engineer Eulogio Pelayre was tasked to finish the repairs on the CCTV camera wiring in a month.
Pelayre, though, explained that the equipment was only available last March 13, which gives him until April 13 to finish the repairs. He said it will be completed by next week.
The board also raised the issue of appointing a bridge administrator to oversee the operations of the two bridges, as well as the purchase of vehicles and a communication system. Dakay, however, wants an assessment of the MCBMB finances first.
MCBMB has funds amounting to P4.5 million, according to the report of Provincial Treasurer Roy Salubre. (JGA)
