ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (PNA) – In a bid to curb criminality, the city government of Lamitan in Basilan has installed closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in major areas of that city.

Lamitan City Mayor Roderick Furigay disclosed that, initially, they have allocated P2.5 million to finance the installation of the CCTVs.

Furigay said the CCTVs were installed at the seaport, public market, and in the main commercial center where banks and other business establishments as well as government offices are located.

Furigay said that they are also planning to install CCTVs in the city’s entry and exit points as part of their efforts to reduce, if not eliminate, criminality.

Furigay said the CCTVs are connected to a nerve center, manned by personnel from the city government, and each monitoring station can record up to 60 days of video.

He added that all of the copies of the video are being duplicated and the gadgets’ “maintenance is regular.”

Furigay treats the installation of the CCTVs not just as security investment but a business investment as well, citing “if a place is secured, we are assured of investors coming in without the fear from lawless elements.”