Duterte slates funds for 911 command Center in Baguio

By Dexter A. See 

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor-elect Benjamin B. Magalong said President Rodrigo R. Duterte assured him of funds to set up a command center to deal with traffic, peacekeeping and disaster management.

              He said he talked with the President to start a local version of the 911 in Davao city for better traffic, peace and order and disaster management the next months.

Magalong a team of experts from Metro Manila and Davao City will be arriving in the city anytime to assess the situation, especially on the strategic location where the center will be established.

According to him, the centralized command center of the city is being proposed to be established either in the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) building or within the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) building, whichever will be suitable to host the said center.

One of the priorities of the incoming mayor is to improve the prevailing traffic situation along major roads and streets in the city with both short and long-term solutions to ease the dilemma of motorists when plying along the central business district area.

The team of experts will also assess the existing information and communication technology system in place in the city government to determine what to improve that could be implemented the soonest so that the same will be at par with international standards in addressing traffic, peacekeeping and disaster management.

Magalong reported recommendations of the team of experts on the location of the command center will support the request for funding from the Office of the President.

The integrated command center will provide the information for the deployment of personnel in the efficient and effective management of traffic around the city, the provision of interventions to support the implementation of peacekeeping initiatives and the appropriate response to disasters in the city.

Magalong added his administration will try to bring in the science to the existing programs, projects and activities in the city to determine appropriate and strategic interventions needed to deal with any situation that will arise in the different parts of the city.

Magalong appealed to the residents to support his administration’s initiatives once he assumes office so they can directly benefit from the innovations or new initiatives introduced by his administration.

The incoming mayor is currently holding meetings with the different sectors in the city to listen to and be aware of their issues and concerns as he prepares for his assumption to office.