Pasig barangay turns to smart CCTV to enforce social distancing

A barangay in Pasig City is being aided by CCTVs with artificial intelligence that help enforce social distancing among residents as part of measures to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

According to a report by Mariz Umali on GMA' 24 Oras, several personnel of Barangay San Antonio are assigned to a command post monitoring the movement of people based on the information sent by the 73 smart CCTVs.

"Kung walang exemption, hindi ka talaga dapat lumabas.  Sumunod na lang po tayo sa quarantine," Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto said.

Thomas Raymond Lising, the barangay chairman, said the artificial intelligence in the CCTVs "has the capability to monitor moving people, also the number of people who are in motion."

"This would be an indicator for us to advise to dispatch personnel sa specific area with regard sa pagsita," he said.

The information sent by the gadgets are color coded:  Green when there is one person in an area or no person at all; faded orange when there are four to 10 persons; solid red when here are 11 persons or more, which would be the time when barangay personnel would go to the specific area.

Meanwhile, Sotto said that distribution of relief packs, cash vouchers and cash subsidy would continue for the city's needy residents.  he also announced that market vendors would be exempt from paying their rental dues for a month.

As of 3:57 p.m. Friday, there are 36 positive COVID-19 cases in the city; four have died; 146 are persons under investigation.  —LDF, GMA News