‘No CCTV, no business permit’ policy sought

MANILA, Philippines — Local government units (LGUs) have been asked to require business establishments that cater to large numbers of customers to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to deter crimes.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) yesterday said that LGUs should pass a “no CCTV, no business permit” ordinance now that more people are going out and the situation is returning to the pre-pandemic period.

“Now’s the right time to require businesses to install CCTVs. People are going out of their homes. A CCTV system is a powerful tool in ensuring public safety,” DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said.

Citing a DILG memorandum, Año said among the establishments that should have CCTVs are financial firms such as banks and pawnshops, shopping malls, supermarkets, wet markets and medical facilities such as hospitals, clinics and laboratories.

Theaters, movie houses, arcades and internet cafes and other areas that draw a lot of people should have CCTV cameras, he added.

DILG spokesman Jonathan Malaya said the CCTV cameras must meet the upgraded guidelines set by the government.

“There were instances when the audio or video quality makes it hard to discern offenders. We urged the LGUs to set up upgraded CCTV systems for the safety of the public,” Malaya said.