The City Council of Davao has approved on second reading on Thursday a proposed ordinance that would allow the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Facial Recognition Technology to strengthen the city’s security and public safety measures.
According to Councilor Bonz Andre Militar, chairperson of the Committee on Information and Technology, and proponent of the said ordinance, the proposal aligns with the directive of acting Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte to advance the city’s digitalization efforts.
Under the ordinance, the AI facial recognition system will be integrated into CCTV cameras installed at all major entry and exit points of the city such as checkpoints, airports, seaports, terminals, and other crowded areas.
Militar noted that once approved, Davao City will be the first in the country to implement such a technology-driven public safety system.
He clarified that the system will only recognize individuals included in security watch lists, persons of interest, or those wanted by authorities.
“Ang AI facial recognition atoang ibutang sa tanang CCTV cameras nato. All entry points sa Davao City, mga crowded areas, terminals, airports-didto na ibutang ang facial recognition ug ang facial recognition ang iyaha lang i-recognize kay katong mga naa sa watchlist sa atoang law enforcement agencies,” Militar said.
