Camera ordinance introduced again

CEBU, Philippines - A measure that compels business establishments to install cameras within their premises was introduced again at the Cebu City Council for approval.

The proposed ordinance, authored by Councilor Sisinio Andales, aimed to discourage criminals from pulling off their trade and to make it easier for law enforcers to solve crimes.

“Many acts of criminality remain unreported and unsolved due to lack of evidence pinpointing the identity of the perpetrators” that prompted him to revive the intention to enact an ordinance that will require businessmen to install Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) in their premises,” Andales said.

According to Andales, a trial lawyer, CCTV cameras in establishments and in residential subdivisions also serves as a strong deterrent against crimes.

But even if there is ordinance compelling establishments to install CCTV cameras, many already have their monitoring cameras except those small-time stores.

Andales said establishments that will be required to install monitoring cameras include banks, moneychangers, lending institutions, pawnshops, gas stations, Internet shops, private schools, privately owned wet and dry markets, hotels, motels, inns, travel agencies, coffee shops, junk shops, terminals and other establishments with an annual gross sales or income of not less than P5 million.

He also said that even shopping malls, privately owned paid parking lots, entrance and exit gates of residential subdivisions and condominiums and hospitals should be required to have CCTV cameras.

Recorded feeds or footage of the cameras shall be turned over to authorities as part of the investigation, the councilor said.

He said the owner or caretaker of the establishment where a crime occurred shall automatically turn over the recorded footages in their cameras. The footages shall be kept for a period of at least 30 days.

A similar ordinance has been introduced at the council in the past, but it was never approved because not all businessmen can afford to buy cameras.

A set of CCTV cameras usually costs over P20,000.

The installation of a CCTV camera at a five-star hotel in Barangay Lahug proved very useful to a foreign national and his Filipina wife when a case filed against them was dropped.

The couple was tagged in the abduction of a girl whose dead body was dumped in a southern town.

Authorities found out that the couple was at the lobby of the hotel when the child was abducted.

Andales said once his proposed measure becomes an ordinance, there should be constant inspections, at least twice a year, to see if CCTV cameras at establishments are still functional.

The north district councilor said the proposed ordinance carries a fine of P2,000 for the first violation, P3,000 for the succeeding violation, s P5,000 for third violation and closure of the establishment.  The matter has been already referred to the Committee on Laws for review. — /LPM (FREEMAN)