CAGAYAN de Oro is set to pilot a high-tech, AI-driven traffic management system that promises to catch violators without a single traffic enforcer on the street—and the project won’t cost the city a cent.

The 21st City Council has authorized Mayor Rolando Uy to sign an agreement with OneSystems Technologies LTD Inc., a Singapore-based firm, to implement the AI-assisted system in key intersections.

Majority Floor Leader Edgar Cabanlas emphasized that the city government will not spend a single peso on the pilot. The technology provider will shoulder all costs related to installation, operation, maintenance, and data management.

Catching violators automatically

The move comes as the city grapples with worsening congestion and an outdated traffic code that Cabanlas admitted has not kept pace with the volume of vehicles on the road. The new system is seen as a precursor to a potential “no-contact apprehension” policy.

Using smart traffic lights and CCTV cameras, the system will automatically detect violations such as counterflowing, jaywalking, and failure to wear helmets or seatbelts.

“Kung naa kana nga violation, mo-tatak na kana didto sa atong LTO ug RTA. Didto makita nato kung unsay plate number, makita gyud didto ang picture sa driver bisan pa ug tainted,” Cabanlas explained.

Why Oro?

A traffic enforcer manages the flow of vehicles at the intersection of Vamenta Boulevard, Ilaya, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City. The City Council last week approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Rolando Uy to enter into an agreement with a Singapore-based company for the pilot implementation of an AI-assisted traffic management system in selected city intersections. Photo by Shiela Mae Butlig

Cabanlas noted that the Singaporean firm specifically selected Cagayan de Oro as a pilot site for their technology.

“Magbutang sila ug traffic lights dinhi nga walay gasto ang syudad. Sila ang mag-manage, sila ang mag-operate, sila ang mag-maintain, sila ang magkuha sa data,” he said.

Initial coverage is expected to span major thoroughfares, specifically from Velez Street up to Agora.

Public skepticism

While officials see the upgrade as urgent, residents expressed a mix of hope and skepticism regarding the implementation.

Dolores Tabor, a resident of Barangay 18, said that while she isn’t familiar with the tech, she welcomes anything that solves the gridlock.

“Ambot lang unsa kaha na, ug makaayo na sa syudad edi mas mayo. Traffic na gyud kayo, kapoy na kayo, malangay ta sa dalan,” Tabor said.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old vlogger Jesmari Ecuasion of Barangay Macasandig remains guarded.

“Perfect, pero kanus-a paman sad na. Ayha ra ta motoo ug naan a,” Ecuasion said.

Cabanlas added that an urgent review of the city’s traffic code is scheduled for the coming month to align local laws with the new digital capabilities.