Puerto Princesa City is taking a step toward becoming a “Smart City” with the help of the South Korean government, which has launched crucial technical developments such as interactive kiosks and a cutting-edge CCTV surveillance system.
The kiosk, inaugurated on December 10, is part of a larger project aimed at enhancing the city’s technological infrastructure and supporting its Smart City vision.
Michie Hitosis Meneses of the City Tourism Department (CTD) said during the Amos Ta Ren sa Puerto Princesa last Friday that the South Korean government recently donated an interactive information kiosk located at the arrival area of the Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPIA).
“This is in line para doon sa layunin ng ating Mayor Lucilo Bayron na magkaroon tayo ng tinatawag na Smart City. Maging Smart City ang lungsod ng Puerto Princesa,” Meneses said during the broadcast.
Meneses said the interactive kiosk offers real-time information for tourists, allowing them to preview key destinations in the city.
It also features live feeds from CCTV cameras installed at popular tourist spots like Honda Bay and the west coast of the Puerto Princesa.
Through these cameras, visitors at the airport can see live scenes of tourist areas, providing them with a glimpse of what awaits them.
“May mga live shot siya. Halimbawa gusto mong pumunta sa west coast ng Puerto Princesa. Pwede ka pong pumunta doon. Pwede mong makita kung ano yung senaryo doon sa area na ‘yon,” Meneses explained.
The main beneficiary of the donation is the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), led by Earl Timbancaya, which focuses on disaster preparedness, risk reduction, response, and recovery.
She said the goal is to integrate technology into city services and disaster response systems, ensuring a safer, more efficient, and tourist-friendly Puerto Princesa.
Another important feature of the project is the installation of advanced CCTV surveillance in key areas across the city.
The surveillance system, according to Meneses, has live paging capabilities, which means announcements and alerts can be broadcast in real-time.
“Kung halimbawa meron warning kaagad yung nakita, na-detect yung sirena halimbawa, tumaas yung water level, ganyan. Right then and there, masasabi na nila kaagad, ‘O, mag-iingat kayo dyan,’” Meneses said, describing how the system could be crucial in disaster risk reduction and management.
The command center for the new surveillance system is already operational in an undisclosed location in the city. The system allows real-time monitoring of high-traffic tourist destinations, as well as disaster-prone areas like Honda Bay.
The technology enables authorities to zoom in on specific areas and broadcast safety alerts if any potential risks arise.
The high-definition clarity of the CCTV system is another noteworthy feature. Meneses highlighted how it can zoom in with precision, even identifying individuals from a distance.
The technology is expected to have a significant impact on public safety and crime prevention. Meneses shared insights from other countries where similar systems have drastically reduced police visibility while still maintaining public safety.
She stated that with this kind of technology, police no longer have to chase suspects in real time. Instead, they can track their movements and simply wait for the suspects to stop at a location where they can be apprehended.
“Pagka na-installan na tayo lahat ng mga high-end na CCTV na ito sa lungsod ng Puerto Princesa, more or less tingin ko magiging ganun na rin tayo in the near future,” Meneses said.
As Puerto Princesa embraces the concept of a “Smart City,” the role of the South Korean government in this initiative is vital.
She said the support from South Korea includes not only funding but also technical expertise. More kiosks, CCTV cameras, and advanced command center features are expected to be rolled out in the coming months as part of the comprehensive smart city plan.
“Ito po ay project ng South Korean government na sinimulan na nila na itaguyod dito sa lungsod ng Puerto Princesa,” Meneses noted, stressing that the recently inaugurated kiosk at the airport is only the first step.
