CCTV system in businesses, state offices pushed

MANILA, Philippines - Two Mindanao congressmen are proposing the installation of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in all business establishments and government offices throughout the country.

Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and his brother Maximo, representative of the party-list group Abante Mindanao, made the proposal in Bill 2449 titled “CCTV Act of 2013.”

The authors said the presence of CCTV cameras would not only prevent crimes but would help the police solve crimes.

In the case of state offices, CCTV could deter and solve corruption, they said.

“One way to lower the crime rate is to provide deterrents, which would make criminals think twice and reconsider. One very effective form of deterrent is the installation of CCTV cameras,” they said.

The Rodriguez brothers noted that physical assault and theft are among the crimes caught on CCTVs of certain local government units in Metro Manila.

“It is high time that CCTV cameras become a mandatory requirement for different establishments and government offices all over the country,” they said.

Bill 2449 provides that business establishments like restaurants, hospitals, malls, shopping centers, movie houses, supermarkets, groceries, entertainment centers, office buildings, and warehouses be required to install CCTV cameras before they are issued business permits.

The business establishment must be employing more than 20 workers and with work premises of not less than 50 square meters. The cameras would be installed in all entrances and exits and in strategic places within the establishment or work area.

Also covered are government offices and buildings.

The covered establishments and offices would be required to turn on their CCTV 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They should keep their video recordings in a safe place for a period of not less than 60 days from the date of recording.

The bill provides that the establishment or government office should inform the public of the presence of CCTV cameras in their premises through a written notice displayed at the entrance of the establishment.

It prohibits the installation of CCTV cameras in any restroom, toilet, shower, bathroom or changing room, and other similar areas.

Covered establishments and offices are to maintain the confidentiality of their video recordings.