By Chito Chavez
The Quezon City government said late Monday that nine high-precision closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras will be installed starting April 21 in strategic locations near the city’s public markets to ensure that social distancing is strictly followed.
Mayor Joy Belmonte said the CCTVs will be put up in Commonwealth Ave fronting Commonwealth Market (southbound), Commonwealth Ave corner IBP Road and Litex, Quirino Highway corner Gen Luis St. and Susano Road, and Quirino Highway corner Ramirez St., Novaliches.
“The CCTV cameras would serve as extra set of eyes for our authorities on the ground as they strictly implement social distancing to stop the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19),” said Belmonte.
She added that cameras will also be placed in Quirino Highway corner Don Julio Gregorio St. in Barangay Bagbag, Samson Road-Balintawak, EDSA-Balintawak, EDSA corner Ermin Garcia St, Cubao, and Tandang Sora corner Visayas Ave.
“It is important that we ensure that social distancing is properly implemented as we enter the crucial part of the enhanced community quarantine,” Belmonte stressed.
Assistant City Administrator for Operations Alberto Kimpo explained the high precision CCTV cameras will be integrated into the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) command center.
Once fully operational, Kimpo said they have the capacity to monitor three neighboring markets simultaneously.
The CCTVs will monitor Commonwealth Market, Datu Tahil Market, Gatmaitan Market, and Litex Market; in the Novaliches area, these shall cover the following markets: Susano Market, Nova Plaza Market, Novaliches Market, Susano Arcade, Francisco Talipapa, and Bagbag Market.
Also covered by CCTVs are the Balintawak area: Cloverleaf Market, Riverview 1, Riverview 2, Pilson, MC Market, and North Diversion Market; Cubao area: Q-Mart Market; and Tandang Sora area: Tandang Sora Bayan Palengke, Visayas Market, and Tandang Sora Livelihood Coop.
Kimpo said the wireless CCTV cameras are capable of 360-degree view, zoom-in and out and can be viewed by authorized personnel through mobile phone.
“These cameras will provide real-time situation in our public markets. Our monitoring center will alert authorities on the ground if social distancing is not strictly followed,” said Kimpo.
He noted the cameras also give another layer of protection for shoppers against unscrupulous individuals who might commit lawless acts.
In a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Belmonte ordered the strict implementation of precautionary measures in all public and privately-run markets.
She added that market owners are responsible for ensuring social distancing by controlling the volume of customers at a given time.
“Markets are also ordered to put up single entry and exit points to control the flow of customers. Clean water, sinks, and alcohol must be available in these points all the time for handwashing purposes,’’ Belmonte concluded.