Diaz wants smaller businesses included in CCTV ordinance

CEBU, Philippines - The chairman of the Committee on Information in the City Council of Talisay wants to lower the minimum capitalization of business establishments that are required to install closed-circuit television (CCTV).

Talisay City Councilor Aldin Diaz sponsored an ordinance to amend the city’s existing CCTV law that now requires high-risk businesses to install CCTV or video monitoring devices.

Diaz’s amendment will require not only high-risk businesses in the city but also “private, commercial or business establishments with a minimum capitalization of P50,000.”

Diaz said section 2 of Ordinance No. 2012-2 or an Ordinance for the Installation of Closed Circuit Television System Cameras (CCTVs) or Video Monitoring Devices, applies only to business establishments that have minimum capitalization of P1 million.

Diaz told The FREEMAN that he wants to include establishments having a minimum capitalization of P50,000 because these businesses may also become victims of the criminal elements.

“This is for the safety and security of commercial or business establishments having a capital of  lower than P1-million,” Diaz said.

He added that CCTV will protect not only the properties, employees and customers of establishments, but it will also help monitor incidents within and outside small, medium or large business establishments in the city.

The proposed ordinance will require establishments to maintain their CCTV cameras and make them operational at least during office hours.

The Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) in Talisay city will be tasked to identify business establishments that are required to install CCTV cameras and notify them to comply within thirty (30) days after approval of the said ordinance.

“The CCTV is very helpful... in discouraging thieves from hanging around the establishment. And if by chance a thief is caught, there will be evidences that can be shown to the authorities through this security device and appropriate actions can be done,” he said.

Diaz said he also believes that the device will prevent shoplifting, vandalism and other untoward incidents inside and outside the establishment. —/JRS (FREEMAN)