THE city government under the leadership of Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar on Monday, May 6, launched its Security and Surveillance Coordinating Office (SSCO) command center at the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO).

The SSCO is the state-of-the-art nerve center of all surveillance cameras being installed in the different strategic locations in the city proper, making Zamboanga the first local government unit in Zamboanga Peninsula to have established such a modern security and surveillance facility.

Mindanao-wide, Zamboanga is second to Davao City.

In gracing the launch, executive director Diosdado Valeroso of Emergency 911 Hotline National Office lauded Salazar for initiating the establishment of the command center utilizing high-end technology in crime prevention.

Salazar said the command center is part of her administration’s priority thrust to provide a safe and secured city where Christians, Muslims and Lumads peacefully coexist, and business thrive, integrating the latest technology has to offer towards a smart and resilient city.

The SSCO acts as nerve center where predicting, forecasting, horizon scan and sense-making is a never-ending tasking—making the people feel safe and have a peace of mind, knowing that someone is watching over the city 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

Heading the Command Center personnel is Christopher Mandi with Alan Aizon as technical head; Ronie Pagayonan, assistant operations head; and Gertrude Tercan, administration head.

There are 15 closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera operators and two field operations personnel. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)