Last April, Lungsod ng San Pedro Mayor Art Mercado led in the inauguration of the city’s P300 million Smart Command Center.
Mercado was joined by Interior and Local Governments Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos, Jr., City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) Department Head Vernet Nico A. Pavino, and other Lungsod ng San Pedro officials.
The six-story CDRRM building is equipped with solar panels, generators, and satellite internet service powered by Starlink.
Pavino said the solar panels are for the implementation of climate change adaptation and mitigation as part of the city’s resilience and disaster preparedness program. The command center also has a cloud where the data will be installed.
“The Lungsod ng San Pedro Command Center is now operational, marking a significant milestone in our Smart City journey. The Command Center is central to our efforts in improving public safety and disaster response,” Mercado said.
He added that the new building is a step closer to fulfilling their “common vision of making San Pedro a sustainable Smart City, one that is resilient from disasters.”
TIMELY RESPONSE
Bounded by Laguna de Bay tributaries—on the south by Tunasan River in Biñan, on the southwest by the San Isidro River in Cavite, and the San Pedro River—the City of San Pedro in Laguna is vulnerable to flooding during the rainy seasons.
“With San Pedro fast becoming one of Laguna’s most urbanized cities, it is imperative for us to always prepare for these catastrophes. The command center will aid in preparation and fast response when natural calamities occur,” Mercado said.
The San Pedro mayor recalled that when Typhoon Enteng flooded Metro Manila and nearby provinces in early September, the Lungsod ng San Pedro was on red alert status.
“San Pedro was under ‘Charlie’ protocol or extreme risk category, a classification system of the DILG. It means all government agencies are on alert and the city is required to give regular public updates,” the mayor said.
He further recounted that the Command Center proved valuable in providing timely response and aid to San Pedro villages submerged under water like barangays San Antonio, Landayan, and Cuyab.
208 CCTV CAMERAS
Phase two of the command center is underway, said Pavino. This will include the installation of 208 CCTV cameras all over the city. Each camera will be powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and will be equipped with license plate recognition and face recognition.
Among the private partners of the San Pedro City Government for its Command Center project are Meralco, Prime Water, San Pedro Water District, and PLDT, along with different NGOs and volunteer groups.
“While the facility is already functional, we are continually working on upgrades to enhance its capabilities. These upgrades include better data integration, improved real-time monitoring, and enhanced communication systems to ensure that we can respond more effectively to any situation,” Mercado elaborated.
He added: “We are making steady progress, but we recognize that building a Smart City is an ongoing process. Each of these initiatives is a step forward, bringing us closer to our goal of a more connected, efficient, and resilient San Pedro. Our commitment to continuous improvement ensures that as technology evolves, so too will our city’s ability to serve its residents better.”
SEAL OF GOOD GOVERNANCE
DILG Secretary Abalos said that in his years of service, the CDRRM office in San Pedro is the best DRRMO office he has seen. “This monument stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication of the government of San Pedro to the welfare and safety of its constituents.”
Just last year, in September, the San Pedro City Government completed the city’s Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) Assessment, together with the departments, assessors, and key personnel of the previous administration.
The SGLG Assessment is imperative in the monitoring and evaluation of good governance practices. Lungsod ng San Pedro has earned its SGLG for two consecutive years.
Mercado expressed his thanks and appreciation of the men and women that composed the City Government of San Pedro for their hard work.
“I believe marami kaming magagaling na empleyado starting with the department heads na mahuhusay—na binigyan ko na ng pagkakataon na makapagdeliver sila, and sila yung marurunong, magagaling sa kanilang departamento [we have many excellent employees, starting with the department heads who are all efficient. I give them the chance to deliver because they are intelligent and highly competent in their departments]. I am impressed and privileged to be their guide. They can perform and deliver,” Mercado said.
TOP OVERALL PERFORMER
Last year, the City Government of San Pedro received the “Top Overall Performer Award for Component City Category” from the DILG, during the 2023 SubayBAYANI Awards held at Parañaque City.
Launched in 2018, the SubayBAYANI Awards is the highlight of the DILG’s SubayBAYAN program, geared to encourage local government units around the Philippines to exercise transparency and accountability, under its SubayBayan program.
SubayBAYAN is the DILG’s official platform for real-time information on the physical and financial status of projects and other basic information related to the project implementation.
It aims to monitor and report on the progress of Locally-Funded Projects (LFPs), through the participation of assigned monitors from the DILG’s Field Offices.
The SubayBAYANI Award is an indication that the city government is “on track” in implementing major projects and programs that will, in the long run, fulfill the Mercado administration’s goal of Lungsod ng San Pedro being “Una sa Laguna.”—Trixzy Leign Bonotan
