PNP installs security cameras on Edsa-Taft intersection

Inquirer file photo. EDWIN BACASMAS

At least a million people who regularly pass through a busy roundabout in Pasay City are assured of their safety as the Philippine National Police installs 32 security cameras at the Pasay Rotonda area.

On Friday, police officials and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas launched “Project Safe Kam,” a move to deter criminals by installing closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in seven crime-prone areas in Metro Manila.

The first 32 CCTV cameras were installed on major bridges and walkways at the corner of Edsa and Taft Avenue in Pasay City.

“About one million people from all walks of life pass by the Edsa-Taft area every day, and one way to make this area safe for them is to install CCTV cameras in strategic locations that will capture all the happenings from all the corners of the area,” Roxas said during the project launching at Kabayan Hotel.

“Safe Taxi Zones” will be located in loading areas where CCTV units are installed to be able to capture the face of taxi drivers as well as plate numbers of vehicles.

“Halimbawa, call center agent ka, madaling araw, sasakay ka ng taxi, pauwi ka na. Kung dito ka sasakay, naka-record, masasabing safe ka kasi alam ng taxi driver na naka-record siya rito,” he said,

Pasay City served as the pilot area of the project but Roxas said security cameras would also be installed at the University Belt area in Manila, Monumento, MRT North Edsa Station-West Avenue, Edsa Cubao-Aurora Boulevard, Redemptorist in Baclaran, and De La Salle University along Taft Avenue.

Roxas said while it was impractical to assign policemen to monitor 32 security cameras 24/7, the footages would be digitally recorded.

“Kung mayroong reklamo o insidente na gustong ma-track ng kapulisan ay pwede nilang balikan yung mga recording,” he said.

The government spent P650,000 for the project. Half of the cost was donated by the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry. -Julliane Love De Jesus, RC