MCBMB Approves P1.03M for Bridge CCTV’s

Mactan-Cebu Bridge Management Board (MCBMB) approved the P 1.03M budget for the repair and augmentation of the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras for the two Mandaue-Mactan bridges during its regular session on Monday.

During its meeting, the traffic security management system (TSMS) of the MCBMB forwarded its request for additional cameras, including installations and enhancement accessories.

Governor Hilario Davide III said that of the 40 cameras installed on both bridges, only 20 are fully functioning, 16 need repair while 4 are irreparable.

The bridge management board approved P787,360 for the acquisition of new CCTV camera equipment and P250,000 for the repairs of the outdated ones for the Marcelo Fernan and Mandaue-Mactan Bridge.

Davide, also the presiding officer of the bridge board, stressed the importance of the upgrades and repairs since the response time for rescuers and traffic constables has been reduced from 15 to 7 minutes.

Security cameras in both bridges help monitor the flow of traffic, accidents, engine and mechanical trouble, even suicide attempts.

During the meeting, an MCBMB representative presented a CCTV recording showing a Korean national attempting to jump off the old Mactan-Mandaue Bridge but was instantly stopped by a maritime police officer.

The officer responded after seeing the live feed from the command center.

The MCBMB report said that from August 2016 to December 2016, both bridges had a total of 22 vehicular accidents, 30 automotive mechanical problems, 2 thefts and 4 suicide attempts.

The bridge body also approved the request from the organizers of the 10th Cebu Marathon to utilize one lane of the Marcelo Fernan Bridge for their January 8, 2017 event, and Globe Telecom’s request to allow NEPCON Construction Company to acquire permits for the installation of new Arial Fiber Optic Cable at the Mandaue- Mactan Bridge and the Marcelo Fernan Bridge. (Francis Jonathan Torralba)

SOURCE: www.cebu.gov.ph