IN THEORY, it could be said that sensors could be used for reading, measuring, monitoring, reporting and analyzing anything that has a value. That could include motion, moisture and temperature, among others.
Some experts might remember that these are also the functions of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) that are often used in conjunction with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems and Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controllers.
I do not think that SCADA and PID will become obsolete. On the contrary, I think that there will be a convergence of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Internet of Things (IOT), SCADA and PID, in the same way that I think that there will be a convergence of ICT, IOT, Building Management Systems (BMS) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP).
Just to put this discussion in the right perspective, all technologies are merely just tools that would be useless if we do not know how to use these. That is the situation now in terms of using ICT and IOT to bring about the “Safe Cities”.
The tools are already available so to speak, but we still need the master carpenters to build whatever it is that we would want to build. What do you think we should do? Should we elect bright Mayors who will become our master carpenters? Or should we elect bright Mayors who will act as the master architects who will then put the master carpenters to work?
And when do you think this will happen? As of now, many Mayors in other countries have already made “Safe Cities” a reality.
Seeing the possibility that not too many bright Mayors will show up in the horizon, the citizens who are bright enough to appreciate the need to build the “Safe Cities” should already take the lead in moving this advocacy forward.
For many decades now, the citizens have allowed their Mayors to take the lead, but with not much happening where they are, they should start taking the lead. These citizens need not run for public office either, because there are enough provisions in the Local Government Code (LGC) that would allow the citizens to actively participate in the Municipal Development Councils (MDCs).
So there you go, the tools are available and the venues for active participation are also available. What else is needed?/PN
