THE Mactan-Cebu Bridge Management Board (MCBMB) has approved the release of P3.4 million to upgrade the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and security monitoring system for the two bridges that connect the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.
The fund set aside by the MCBMB will be used in acquiring four high-resolution CCTV cameras that can capture plate numbers of vehicles passing by the Sergio Osmeña Bridge (Mactan-Mandaue Bridge) and the Marcelo Fernan Bridge, and in installing wireless connections.
Outgoing governor and vice governor-elect Hilario Davide III approved the release of the amount during the MCBMB’s meeting at the Capitol in Cebu City on Friday, June 14, 2019. He is the MCBMB’s outgoing chairman.
Aside from upgrading the two bridges’ security cameras and monitoring system, the MCBMB also approved the release of P7.9 million, which will be used in buying a new tow truck.
Davide said there is a need for a tow truck, which could be used by personnel in repairing CCTV camera connections. It could also help remove obstructions, including vehicles involved in accidents at the two bridges.
Leo Jim Bacus, the system analyst and CCTV operator for the Traffic and Security Monitoring System (TSMS), said upgrading the two bridges’ CCTV cameras will be helpful in identifying vehicles involved in accidents.
The Marcelo Fernan and Sergio Osmeña bridges had been installed with 17 and 12 CCTV cameras, respectively.
Bacus said the old CCTV cameras will not be discarded, but these will be transferred to other parts of the bridges.
In his presentation, Bacus said at least 24 vehicular accidents were reported at the Marcelo Fernan Bridge from December 2018 until June 2019, while four accidents were reported at the Sergio Osmeña Bridge in the same period.
Most of the accidents involved motorcycles.
Aside from vehicular accidents, the MCBMB also monitored three suicide incidents at the two bridges.
However, only one person died by jumping off the bridge, while the two others were rescued.
The MCBMB said law and traffic enforcement units from the cities of Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue would take at least three to 10 minutes to respond to any incident at the two bridges. (from SCG of SuperBalita Cebu/JKV)