Bacolod eyes PPP for P2.2-B command center

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY — Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez announced Monday that the city government is considering a public-private partnership (PPP) to establish a P2.2-billion centralized command system.

In a press briefing, Benitez said the projected budget of P2.2 billion is subject to a Swiss challenge. He did not disclose the private firm interested in the challenge.

The city government has allocated P60 million for the construction of the Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Command Center, located on Sardonyx Street, Purok Sunflower, next to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Engineering Office in Barangay Taculing.

The building is currently under construction.

The center will feature a centralized command system connecting various agencies responsible for crime prevention, fire response, traffic management, and disaster preparedness.

The mayor added that the command center will monitor activities through closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed throughout the city.

“We want Bacolod to be a safe place,” Benitez said.

He added that the system will incorporate modern technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), to detect crimes and violations.

This will allow law enforcers to respond quickly to incidents and apprehend offenders, with Benitez emphasizing the importance of timing in emergency responses.

“I believe that if we have eyes on the ground, we can observe everything happening in our public spaces. Bacolod will be a safer place, and that’s what we are aiming for,” the mayor said.

The project is expected to be fully implemented within 10 years under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) model, Benitez noted.

He also highlighted that this initiative aligns with Bacolod’s vision of becoming a “super” or smart city.

“Data management is crucial to our transformation into an efficient city. How we collect and handle data will help us make informed decisions,” he said.