The plan to beef up Dumaguete’s security with closed-circuit TV cameras has hit a snag for lack of funds.
Bosch-Philips Company a supplier of CCTV cameras, is selling 19 cameras to the City for P33 million, to include the mother station or command center.
Art Abastillas, vice president for marketing of Bosch-Philips, the mother station or command center is the most expensive part of the system. Aside from a command center, the company has also recommended for the installation of a standby power unit that will ensure a continuous operation of the CCTV cameras even during power interruptions.
Dumaguete Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria admitted that the city government has no funds for the purchase of CCTV cameras, in line with the campaign to reduce crime in the City.
The CCTV cameras are to be installed in strategic places around the main thoroughfares in Dumaguete City where most activities are being held, such as along the Rizal Boulevard.
According to the mayor, the city government is now preparing to adopt austerity measures after the Department of Budget & Management made another confirmation that the Internal Revenue Allotment share in 2012 will only be P232 million.
Sagarbarria said the city will have to choose from among different suppliers of CCTV security cameras as the city government coffers cannot finance the project and may have to borrow money from the bank or from a financing institution. It is the only way for the city government to finance the project, he added.
Just recently, The mayor said the city is waiting for other suppliers to make their own product presentation before the local government can take action. (PNA/Maricar Aranas)