City mulls putting dashcams on PUJs

As additional security measure, the Cebu City Government is eyeing the installation of dashcams worth P5 million on around 1,000 public utility jeepney (PUJ) units.

In yesterday’s budget hearing for the proposed P84.1 million fourth supplemental budget, Department of General Services officer-in-charge Ronaldo Malacora said that while a matrix on the dashcams is yet to be drafted, priority PUJs will be those that ply high-risk areas, or identified places with high criminality rates.

Councilor Margarita Osmeña, head of the City Council committee on budget and finance, suggested that the installation be done through a donation with a signed memorandum of agreement with the PUJ operator to ensure that the device will be used responsibly.

She also suggested that areas crowded with business process outsourcing workers may be made a priority as well following the recent robbery-slay of a call center agent in Barangay Mabolo.

Aside from the procurement of dashcams, some P8 million is allocated for the purchase of a 50-seater bus that will ferry passengers for free along the Banilad-Talamban (Ban-Tal) route during the morning rush hour.

Malacora said there are four buses currently operating in the area from 6 to 8 a.m., but there is a need to add one more unit since Ban-Tal is one of busiest routes in the city.

“There is a need to address the transportation needs in the Ban-Tal area. There is also a plan to do this in the evening, but right now, we can’t afford it because of lack of drivers,” he added.

Aside from this, the draft supplemental budget will cover P38,809,750 for the acquisition of a lot that will be used as relocation site for more than 200 residents from Barangay Mambaling.

It also includes some P13 million worth of City-sponsored activities; P4 million for terminal leave beneficiaries; P332,000 for aid to barangays in prior years; P2.7 million medical assistance under the Long Life Program; and P10.6 million for the procurement of machinery and heavy equipment, and the construction of drainage system along M.J. Cuenco Ave. going to Maxilom Ave.

Councilor Osmeña said the committee will submit a report to the Council for its scrutiny and approval.