BANGUED, Abra (PIA) – The Abra Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) has allocated funds for the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems in high risk crime areas in the province.
“There is already a program for the installation and activation of CCTV cameras in public areas, naka-lodge na sa PPOC plan. We will implement it within this period bago mag-eleksyon,” shared Acting Governor Russell Bragas during an emergency meeting of the PPOC on March 17.
Abra Police Provincial Office (PPO) Director Gilbert Fati-ig recognized the need for the installation of quality CCTV systems in crime-prone areas such as in the capital town of Bangued, town boundaries, and big business establishments to help prevent crime and aid in solving criminal cases.
“Meron kaming CCTV na pinagkukuhanan ng ebidensya dito sa Bangued, dalawa, pero blurred sya. Dapat talaga malagyan ng ga CCTVs yung malalaking business establishments para walang mangyaring nakawan and then katulungan po namin na mag-gather ng mga evidence doon sa mga specific areas,” he explained.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Abra Provincial Director Kristoffer Dave Alvarez added that the department has released a Memorandum Circular for local chief executives to integrate in the requirements of issuance of business permits the installation of CCTV systems, especially for big business establishments.
“We encourage our LCEs to look into it because lumalabas po na isa siya sa mga mechanisms to prevent crime and improve crime solution efficiency,” he urged.
Meanwhile, League of Municipalities of Philippines National President La Paz Mayor JB Bernos shared that CCTV installation in La Paz is already underway.
“The prize we got from the previous SGLG Awards, we established a SMART control CCTV at the Municipal Hall,” he said.
Aside from La Paz, the municipality of Danglas is also in the process of installing CCTV systems in its seven barangays.
Bragas, who is also the PPOC chairperson, encouraged the different town mayors to consider the CCTV installation in their towns to assist the police units in addressing criminality, especially with the upcoming 2025 National and Local Elections. (JJMT, PIA-CAR, Abra)
