In Talisay City establishments obliged to install CCTV

CEBU, Philippines - It is now mandatory for business and commercial establishments in Talisay City to install close circuit television (CCTV) systems.

This as Mayor Socrates Fernandez approved the ordinance that strengthens the city’s existing CCTV ordinance which requires all owners of city-based business establishments such as banks, malls, gasoline stations, supermarkets, pawnshops, money-changers, 24-hour convenience stores, schools, fastfood restaurants/quick service restaurants, and car dealerships to install surveillance cameras within their respective premises to deter lawlessness.

The ordinance takes effect tomorrow.

Vice Mayor Alan Bucao, the proponent of the ordinance, said that failure to comply with the new law would mean penalties: warning for the first offense, a P2,500 for the second offense, and P5,000 for the third.

Establishments which handle extensive monetary transactions amounting to the exchange of goods or services a minimum capitalization of P1 million as per record submitted to the Business Permit and Licensing Office, will be required to have CCTVs.

The establishment shall maintain the continuous digital images recorded by the system for no less than 30 days for review and reference purposes.

The images may be destroyed after such holding period, unless the establishment is directed otherwise by any competent authority.             

If a crime has occurred, or the operator, employee or owner of the establishment has reason to believe a crime has occurred and has been recorded by the surveillance system, the operator, employee or owner of the establishment shall immediately contact the Talisay City Philippine National Police, and shall provide access to the pertinent recordings to the police and other investigators. 

The captured video footage or image may be used at any time to satisfy the written order or subpoena of any court or body with competent jurisdiction.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo has urged all local chief executives to install closed circuit television technology (CCTV) cameras in their localities to help deter and solve crimes, according to a statement posted on the agency’s website. 

“As local authorities are mandated under the Local Government Code to ensure peace and order as well as public safety in their localities, they should employ strategies and means to keep their communities crime-free and ward-off would-be criminals,” he said.

In his directive, Robredo said local governments that decide to make use of a CCTV system should ensure that such surveillance equipment should be installed in strategic places and at heights free from human intervention. (FREEMAN)