Davao City, long regarded as a pioneer in peace, order, and disaster preparedness, is once again setting the national standard—this time by embracing artificial intelligence to strengthen public safety and emergency response. With two landmark ordinances passed on third and final reading by the Sangguniang Panlungsod under the Committee on Information Technology, Davao is proving yet again why it stands among the most forward-thinking and secure cities in the Philippines.
These ordinances—the SERAL-CARED Emergency Response System and the AI Facial Recognition Border Security System—cement Davao City’s reputation as a leader in technological innovation for governance and citizen protection.
Reinventing Emergency Response: The SERAL-CARED Breakthrough
Even as a Hall of Famer in Emergency Disaster Response and Humanitarian Projects, Davao City refuses to be complacent. The newly approved “Ordinance Enhancing Davao City’s Emergency Response System through the Establishment of the Davao Smart Emergency Response and Locator – Computer-Aided Response and Emergency Dispatch (SERAL-CARED) System” marks a giant leap forward in saving lives.
SERAL-CARED is engineered to address the biggest gaps in emergency management through cutting-edge technology:
🔹 Precise Location Tracking
Integrated GPS and geospatial mapping tools pinpoint exact caller and incident locations—crucial during disasters, medical emergencies, and crime response scenarios.
🔹 Unified Digital Dispatch
A centralized system allows rapid coordination among police, fire, medical, and rescue teams, eliminating delays and miscommunication during high-pressure situations.
🔹 Anti-Prank Call Technology
Sophisticated filtering systems and stronger penalties aim to reduce prank calls that clog emergency hotlines, ensuring real emergencies are prioritized.
🔹 Upgraded Connectivity
Improved communications infrastructure ensures even remote barangays receive fast and reliable response—an essential upgrade for a geographically vast city like Davao.
With SERAL-CARED, Davao is pioneering a smarter, more responsive, and more efficient emergency system—one that will serve as a potential model for other LGUs across the country.
AI at the Frontlines: Strengthening Security at All Borders
The second ordinance—“An Ordinance Strengthening the Public Safety and Border Security System of Davao City through the Integration of AI Facial Recognition Technology in Critical Entry and Exit Points”—marks a groundbreaking moment in Philippine local governance.
Despite ranking third safest city in Southeast Asia, Davao City aims even higher.
AI-powered facial recognition, installed in terminals, crowded public areas, and airports, will contribute to:
🔹 Enhanced Surveillance Infrastructure
The system scans individuals entering the city and cross-checks them against a database of wanted criminals, missing persons, and identified threats.
🔹 Targeted Monitoring, Not Mass Surveillance
The technology will not collect information from the general public. Only individuals already flagged by the PNP, Task Force Davao, and other agencies will be in the system—ensuring privacy while boosting security.
🔹 Faster Identification of Threats
Real-time alerts will assist law enforcement in intercepting persons of interest before they pose harm.
🔹 Strengthened Multi-Agency Coordination
With unified data and shared access, security agencies can move smarter, quicker, and with greater accuracy.
According to Councilor Bonz Andrei Militar, Chair of the Committee on Information and Technology, rigorous privacy safeguards are in place. The system only detects matches; it does not store data from ordinary citizens.
DCPO Gives Full Support: “A Game-Changer for Davao City”
During an on-ground police operation, DCPO Acting City Director PCOL Mannan C. Muarip emphasized unwavering support for the AI Facial Recognition Ordinance.
“The AI Facial Recognition Ordinance will be a game-changer in safeguarding Davao City. With modern technology, we can detect threats faster, respond more effectively, and provide Dabawenyos with a safer and more secure environment.”
Muarip underscored how the system will elevate Davao’s capability in crime prevention, border control, and citywide safety—ensuring that the city stays ahead of evolving security threats.
Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO) Head Angel Sumagaysay also confirmed that funding is secured and full implementation is expected next year.
A City That Never Stops Innovating
From being a national leader in disaster preparedness to adopting AI-driven policing, Davao City continues to redefine what it means to be a safe, modern, and resilient metropolis. These two ordinances affirm the city’s commitment to protecting its people—not just through manpower and equipment, but through smart governance and future-ready technologies.
Under the leadership of Acting Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, and with the proactive stance of the 21st City Council, Davao City is once again setting the standard. The city’s unwavering dedication to progress, safety, and innovation ensures that every Dabawenyo benefits from systems designed to safeguard lives.
Davao City is not just keeping up with the future—it is building it.