By Brian Campued
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will study the possibility of live streaming from monitoring cameras focused on critical thoroughfares across the National Capital Region (NCR) during heavy rains.
According to MMDA General Manager Nicolas Torre III, this will help inform the public regarding current road conditions and allow motorists to plan their trips, look for alternative routes, and avoid flooded areas.
“We’ll study that and let’s see if we can live stream again the critical intersections and critical roads of Metro Manila during such emergencies,” Torre said at a press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday.
The former police chief added that they have to consider pertinent laws, including the Data Privacy Act, to ensure the proper implementation of the initiative.
“Hahanapan namin ng paraan, maybe we’ll use the high cameras that we have so that ang individual identification ng mga sasakyan ay hindi na gaanong makita. Titingnan natin, pag-aaralan namin kung anong pwedeng magawa para dyan,” Torre said.
He also reminded motorists to regularly check MMDA’s social media pages for advisories on number coding suspensions and only call their Hotline 136 during emergencies on major roads in the capital region.
“Pag may aberya sa daan, whatever is the aberya—na-stall, nagkabanggaan, may mga emergency na nakita natin, may nabangga o may kailangan ng ambulansiya—we can respond on those matters,” MMDA General Manager said.
The heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon (habagat) caused flooding in several parts of NCR on Monday, leaving motorists and commuters stranded and rendering several roads impassable for hours.
Torre assured that the MMDA, in coordination with other government agencies and local government units, will continue to ensure that pumping stations are functioning properly and dredging operations continue in Metro Manila waterways.
The MMDA, along with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), is also conducting continuous clearing of clogged waterways to help floodwater subside rapidly.
Palace Press Officer Claire and Undersecretary Castro, meanwhile, urged residents to refrain from throwing garbage into drainage systems and practice responsible waste management in their communities.
“Hindi lamang po dapat gobyerno, kung hindi lahat po tayo, lahat po tayo na concern dito ay nagtulong-tulungan—dahil kahit po marami tayong drainage diyan, may mga pumping stations tayo, pero kung tambak din po ang basura na itinatapon lang sa estero ng ating mga kababayan, mawawalan po ng saysay iyong pagtatrabaho lalo na iyong laging paglilinis ng ating mga ahensiya ng gobyerno, especially MMDA at DENR,” Usec. Castro said.
-jpv
