Bill seeks to require establishments to have CCTV cams

MANILA, Philippines - A former police official turned legislator has filed a bill, requiring government offices, schools and business establishments in the country to install CCTV cameras in their premises in a bid to prevent crimes.

ACT-CIS partylist Rep. Samuel Pagdilao said House Bill 3835 also aims at solving crimes since CCTV cameras will record the incidents that have happened and may be used to identify offenders.

"A potential criminal who becomes aware of the presence of CCTV cameras may prevent or deter such person from committing a criminal act," Pagdilao said.

The proposed measure covers banks, department stores, shopping malls, colleges and universities, gasoline stations, pawnshops, lending institutions, convenience stores.

Pagdilao said the bill also mandates the local government unit to install CCTV cameras in government buildings, public markets, terminals, plazas, parks and main thoroughfares.

The CCTV cameras should be maintained in proper working condition during office hours or even 24 hours under the discretion of the management or officials, he added.

Under the bill, the business establishments and LGUs shall retain the recorded digital images for 30 days for review and reference purposes and shall be preserved for one year.

The use of video recording as evidence in any civil or criminal case shall be allowed upon written order of a court.

Business establishments with P50,000 to P500,000 capitalization are required to put up one digital video recorder, four CCTV cameras and one Infra Red camera with 50 meters range in their premises.

Those with P500,000 to P1 million capitalization are mandated to install one digital video recorder, eight CCTV cameras and Infra Red camera with 50 meters range to monitor outer perimeters.

Those with capitalization higher than P1 million are required by the measure to install one digital video recorder, 16 CCTV cameras, Infra Red camera with 100-meter range.

Violators face a fine of P10,000 and suspension of its business permit while local officials shall be considered as nonfeasance and shall be subject to the proper penalties.