The city government of San Fernando in Pampanga is using high-resolution cameras and a command center to monitor traffic conditions, identify congestion hotspots, and improve emergency response, with support from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
The initiative is part of DOST’s Smart and Sustainable Communities Program (SSCP), which supports the use of science and technology to address local government challenges.
The city’s Command and Control Center currently operates nearly 200 high-resolution pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras installed across its jurisdiction. The system allows the City Public Order and Safety (CPOS) office to identify peak traffic hours and determine where additional personnel may be needed.
Louie P. Clemente, CPOS coordinating officer, said the city had already established its traffic management operations before DOST’s intervention, with the Command, Control, and Communications (C3) facility serving as the system’s backbone.
“Actually, ang smart traffic management kasi, process siya. Pero matagal na namin naumpisahan. ‘Yung pag-start nyan, kailangan magkaroon kami ng vessel. For example, ang vessel namin dito yung C3 [command, control, communications]. Siya ‘yung pinaka-backbone namin,” Clemente said.
The use of cameras and centralized monitoring has enabled the city to analyze traffic conditions without relying solely on personnel deployed on the ground.
“Nagkaroon kami ng capacity to analyze data without the use of personnel. Sa mga cameras lang ito. So kung susumahin natin, malaki ang natitipid ng gobyerno through the use of this smart technology,” Clemente said.
The city is also developing a mobile application through its City Information and Communications Technology Office (CICTO) to let residents report incidents and request assistance.
Reports submitted through the app are intended to be forwarded automatically to the appropriate government office or response agency.
“If there are incidents, in terms of calamities, [emergency] is automatic, for as long as the citizens have participation through a certain app. They can just request for assistance and then automatically, it will be endorsed by the concerned agency, offices or departments,” Clemente said.
The application’s monitoring dashboard will also allow CPOS personnel to track responders handling active requests for assistance.
DOST secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. and other department officials visited the Command and Control Center on Oct. 26 as part of the 2026 Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Week in Central Luzon.
The city’s initiative is aligned with the regional event’s theme, “AI-enabled Central Luzon: Shaping Smart Industries, Creative Futures and Inclusive Growth,” which focuses on the use of science and technology to improve public services and address urban challenges.
