Cebu banks tighten security measures

CEBU, Philippines - Aside from implementing a unified financial literacy program to raise financial awareness among Filipinos, the Cebu Bankers Club (CBC) is also strengthening its security efforts in order to protect its members and clients.

Established in partnership with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and local government units, the CBC-initiated security measures were put in place at the height of bank robberies in Cebu. So far, the group has already encouraged its members to put up CCTV cameras in each respective banks especially in ATMs for outdoor withdrawals where crimes against depositors are usually committed.

This is on top of police visibility in banks and roving tanods in the vicinity.

CBC president Joey Umerez said that aside from the installation of CCTV cameras in banks, the group has also tightened its security efforts by working with other industry sectors such as retail and business organizations.

Aside from partnering with the Philippine National Police (PNP), the LGUs and the different accredited security agencies in Cebu, CBC Security Committee chairman Prudencio Gesta said they are expanding the coverage to other sectors as well.

Although the threat of bank robberies have declined significantly in Cebu, the banking sector is still strengthening its security measures, this time with the involvement of other sectors in the business and government sectors, Gesta said.

CBC is formulating formal partnership with members of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI ), and the Federation of Rural Bankers Association, among other organizations, he said.

"In the last two to three years, there were serious bank robbery attempts in Cebu but it was not realized due to our bank wide security system," Gesta said.

There is also a plan to include lending companies and pawnshops in the CBC-led security program in order to protect them, especially the small-time operators, from robbers.

Operators of shopping malls and cooperatives are also invited by the CBC to be part of this across-industry security program, Gesta said.

In the entire country, Gesta claimed that the Cebu banking sector has the most unique security program and is currently being professionalize through the creation of the security committee that involves inter-industry efforts.

Gesta said banking institutions operating in Cebu in coordination with their respective Manila headquarters are encouraged to hire security personnel that are from accredited security agencies.

CBC is also providing support education program for partner security agencies in coordination with PNP, to give professional updates and tactics to security personnel, Gesta said.

"We are trying to mandate security personnel to undertake further trainings in accredited security schools that are approved by the PNP SUSIA program," Gesta said.

In this way, it’s not just the banking industry that will be assured of good security measures against robberies and untoward incidents but also other business establishments across industries.