Bacolod Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson yesterday said the city government has recently received proposals from eight suppliers of close circuit television technology, or CCTV which they plan to install at the Bacolod City Government Center and the old City Hall building.

Sayson said the Department of Interior and Local Government has issued Memorandum Circular No. 2012-38 encouraging local authorities to avail of CCTV in support of peace and order initiatives and for public safety objectives.

Even before the DILG issued a memorandum, the Sanggunian Panlungsod had already approved a resolution requesting the mayor to consider installing CCTV cameras at the government center and City Hall, he said.

Sayson said he referred two of the proposals submitted to his office to building administrator, executive assistant Nelu Barcoma, for review.

“We have to evaluate our needs and know what is the best equipment we can use inside and outside the government center, because we also want to assure the joggers of their safety,” he said.

However, the purchase of the equipment will be subject to the availability of funds, he added.

Joemarie Vargas, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office action officer, said most of those who submitted proposals are Korean and Japanese companies.

He said the installation of CCTV cameras may cost about P2 million because they will use high definition cameras and will put up a monitoring and recording room.

The equipment will operate 24 hours and will be handled by an operator, Vargas said. They have already identified an area in the government center to be used as command center, he said.

They will also acquire radio facilities for their security forces to secure the perimeter of the government center, Vargas added.

Secretary to the Mayor, Moises dela Cruz, said the CCTV camera they plan to purchase has a lightning arrester and zoom lens that can capture images clearly as far as 200 meters away.

The command center will be equipped with four 40-inch TV monitors that have infrared capability. This equipment is also used by Camp Crame and other cities like Pasay, he added.

He also said they plan to buy 36 CCTV cameras but this depends on the budget available.*CGS

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