DAVAO CITY – A Davao City councilor assured on Tuesday, Nov. 25, that the newly approved ordinance integrating artificial intelligence facial recognition technology into the city’s security system will not collect personal data from ordinary individuals.

Councilor Bonz Andre Militar, chairman of the Committee on Information Technology and principal author of the ordinance, made the assurance during the Pulong-Pulong sa Dabawenyos at Sangguniang Panlungsod.

Militar said only individuals under the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines official watchlists — wanted persons, suspected terrorists, or those missing — will be registered in the database.

The councilor said that the system merely scans faces entering monitored areas, such as terminals or establishments, and checks for matches against the database. “If you are not in the system, you simply pass,” he said.

Militar said he visited the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) to review existing technologies in preparation for the measure. He noted that protocols will soon be in place, prohibiting caps or face coverings that obstruct vision.

For Muslim women and nuns, authorities were advised to provide a private room staffed by female security to ensure respectful verification, the councilor added, noting that the AI system has a 99.9 percent accuracy rate.

Militar cited that law enforcement agencies, such as the National Bureau of Investigation and the Davao City Police Office, already use advanced imaging technologies capable of distinguishing even identical twins.

Councilor Alberto Ungab, chairman of the Committees on Appointments and Government Reorganization and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, said that while the NBI identifies people by name, the city will rely on facial recognition.

Though several firms, including local providers and companies servicing foreign embassies, have presented their technologies, Militar said the city government will still conduct a bidding process to determine which company will supply the system.

Militar said the ordinance, which the City Council approved on final reading on Tuesday morning, aims to enhance public safety and border security by integrating AI at critical entry and exit points throughout Davao City.

The councilor confirmed that a total of 150 new high-definition closed-circuit television units equipped for facial recognition will be procured soon, supported by an allocated budget of P40 million.

He said this is a significant project and possibly the first of its kind in the country. He added that the system will enhance surveillance capabilities at airports, seaports, and terminals by providing real-time alerts and identifying behavioral anomalies.

PSSCC head Angel Sumagaysay said facial recognition will serve as an additional aid for law enforcers and reiterated that private citizens not on official watchlists will not be included in the database.

Militar said the initiative reflects Davao City’s broader efforts to modernize security operations and the city hopes to begin implementing the measure next year.