Kidapawan City’s 911 unit to get PHP 5.1-M equipment upgrade

KIDAPAWAN CITY (PNA) -- The city government is set to procure PHP5.1- million worth of equipment for its Call - 911 Response Unit to strengthen its response capability, timely coordination with other agencies, and anti-crime and terrorism monitoring.Mayor Joseph Evangelista said the equipment includes PHP1.3- million high-resolution close circuit television cameras that would be installed in strategic areas, particularly along the Davao - Cotabato highway and other public passages.The remaining PHP 3.8-million would be utilized to improve the current Intelligence Operation Center and to purchase Internet Protocol (IP) radio, digital handheld radios, digital repeater radio and computer software and servers. Ongoing 911 innovations are underway in order to meet our visions and objectives in serving the public in times of troubles and emergencies in a swift manner, Evangelista stressed.The mayor also assured of the procurement of additional mobile units and emergency kits for the 911 medical responders this year.The city's 911 entity, being the sole emergency response unit currently existing in Region 12, was set-up in 2013, and had served over 15,000 emergencies here and in adjacent municipalities.The improvement in 911's capabilities came a week after the Jan. 3 jailbreak at the North Cotabato District Jail in Barangay Amas here where heavy armed men stormed the facility and sprung out 158 detainees.Evangelista ordered the speedy installation of the new 911 gadgets in preparation for possible diversionary strategies that maybe launched by similar lawless groups against the public. (PNA)