The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) visited the City of Baguio’s Smart City Command Center at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center last 02 February.2023.

Engr. Felipe Puzon facilitated the orientation on the Smart City Command Center. The command center uses state-of-the-art Cisco technology that will revolutionize how the city manages its critical assets, increase capacity to prevent and respond to emergencies and disasters, preserve the environment, speed up government services, improve social and health systems and protect lives and properties.

Engr. Puzon discussed the 911 feature of the Smart City Command Center where it is currently active in responding to emergencies and that they are very serious in dealing with those making prank calls. High-definition cameras were installed in many parts of the city where it is manned by artificial intelligence for detecting traffic violations. He promoted the mobile application “Baguio In My Pocket” that aims to provide an all-in-one digital platform to provide key services to the people of the city.

He also introduced Project Lightning of the National Transmission Corporation (NTC), a project in partnership with Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO), which aims to provide gigabit-speed broadband service over the power lanes. This was offered to the city to provide internet connectivity especially in the remote areas of the city.

The said project has a critical defense layer meant to secure against cyberattacks. He added that it also aims to reduce the cost of the internet, increase internet speed, and boost the internet area coverage. Project Lightning will be tested along the area of Session Road this February.

VILLAFE P. ALIBUYOG
Regional Director