The Baguio City Council has officially set in motion a plan to integrate the city’s fragmented surveillance systems into a single, unified city-wide closed-circuit television (CCTV) network.
Through the unanimous adoption of Resolution 551, Series of 2026, the local government has tasked a multi-agency task force to conduct a “comprehensive joint assessment” of the technical, logistical, and spatial requirements needed for a cohesive security infrastructure. The directive was issued to the City Engineering Office (CEO), the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), the Management and Information Technology Division (MITD), and the Liga ng mga Barangay.
The move comes after the Committee on Public Protection and Safety, Peace and Order, and Human Rights observed that while many of Baguio’s 128 barangays have already independently installed their own CCTV systems, these efforts remain localized.
The committee’s findings emphasized that a “coordinated, standardized, and strategically integrated approach” is now essential to ensure technical compatibility and optimal coverage across the entire city. Without such integration, the city faces challenges in systemic maintenance and seamless monitoring.
The resolution was rooted in a proposal by Scout Councilor-For-A-Day (SOFAD) Dustin B. Reyes, who originally requested that all barangays be required to install and maintain CCTVs in strategic locations.
While the City Council commended the initiative, they have chosen to hold final action on the mandatory installation in abeyance until the newly formed task force submits its findings. The forthcoming joint report is expected to provide actionable recommendations that will serve as the basis for future legislative measures regarding the city’s security protocols.
The joint assessment team is now required to submit a strategic report to the City Council. This report will outline the roadmap for bridging the gap between existing barangay-level surveillance and a high-tech, unified city network.
Resolution 551-2026 was signed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong on July 3, 2026, allowing its implementation to proceed. -Sean Kimrhed P. Lardizabal (UC BA Comm Student/SP Intern)
