Councilor Rodriguez decry dormant city traffic lights, CCTVs

Councilor Maximo T. Rodriguez, III raises the daily challenges faced by motorists due to non-functional traffic lights, as well as the current condition of the city’s Closed-Circuit Televisions (CCTVs).

In his special report delivered during the 15th Regular Session of the 21st City Council, Rodriguez noted that malfunctioning traffic lights have been  worsening traffic congestion and and compromising road safety, particularly when no traffic enforcers are present bad weather or peak hours.

He recalled several city ordinances enacted between 2008 and 2011 related to the installation and management of CCTVs, including Ordinance No. 110775-2008, which mandates the installation of CCTVs in private establishments and public areas; Ordinance No. 11922-2011, which authorizes the then-sitting City Mayor to negotiate for the acquisition of a traffic light system equipped with CCTV cameras; and Ordinance No. 121335-2011, which amends certain provisions of the original 2008 CCTV Installation Ordinance.

The ₱93.2 million loan secured by the previous administration for the city’s CCTV project was also brought up and noted that many of the units remain non-operational to this day.

Rodriguez called for immediate action and accountability from the offices and contractors responsible for the project’s implementation and maintenance.

The City Council, in response, agreed to request the Office of the City Mayor to form a committee to review previous contracts and determine the root cause of the ongoing issues. (JDO/SP)