By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff Reporter
San
Nicolas, Ilocos Norte—Recognizing the
importance of closed circuit television (CCTV) systems in preventing crime, the
Sangguniang Bayan passed an ordinance mandating the installation of CCTV
systems in business establishments in this town.
The measure was unanimously
approved on June 3, 2014.
San Nicolas councilor Atty.
Reynaldo Corpuz said the ordinance aims to boost crime prevention in this
municipality as it is now a booming commercial center of the province.
Atty. Corpuz, who authored
the measure, added that their CCTV ordinance was not copied from or patterned
after ordinances of other councils but is an original creation.
The ordinances categorizes
the installation of CCTV into two. The first category are for business
establishment mandated to install CCTV systems: banks, mortgaging/lending
businesses, pawnshops, money changers, shopping malls, resorts, convention
centers, gasoline stations and other financial entities that are engaged in
“money” businesses or transfer of valuable products regardless of their
capitalization.
Also included in this
category are private and public schools, hospitals, clinics, rural health units
(RHUs), subdivisions, public plazas, public and private markers, convention
centers, hotels and other similar places where people aggregates in bulk.
In the second category, on
the other hand, are business establishment with capitalization of not less than
P500,000.
Apart from the two
categories, Atty. Corpuz added that the ordinance also has an innovation
wherein commercial building owners or lessors are required to install perimeter
CCTVs outside their building at their expense, at the exit, entrance and the
four directions.
The lessee of a building,
meanwhile, is required to install CCTV if it falls under the first or second
category.
The ordinance prohibits the
illegal use of surveillance cameras to respect confidentiality.
Based on the latest Supreme
Court ruling, CCTV cameras should not be placed in a direction that would be
intruding into the privacy of other entities.
The measure takes effect six
months after it is approved by the municipal mayor then by the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan.
Should this be approved by
the higher sanggunian, Atty. Corpuz said establishments will be given six
months to comply. He added that this would become timely, if the measure is
approved immediately, as this will be implemented by January 2015, which is also
the time for business permit renewal.
He also disclosed that
business establishments that would start next year will be given a six-month
allowance from their registration to comply.
Relative to this, he stated
that the municipal government will be issuing the rules and regulations that
would classify business establishments here.
Atty. Corpuz is hopeful that
with the CCTV ordinance, crimes against properties would be prevented. He added
that this may also help police in investigating road accidents or any other
crime that may occur near business establishments here.
Prior to its approval, a
public hearing on the matter was conducted. The hearing was attended by
representatives from the local police, barangay officials, business
establishment owners and managers, and commercial building owners, among
others.
Atty. Corpuz also suggested
the purchase of additional CCTV cameras to be installed along major streets
where schools are located. He said they would look for a budget for this
project.
The ordinance prescribes
penalties of P1,000 and temporary closure until compliance for the first
offense; P1,500 and temporary closure with a corresponding penalty interest on
the administrative fine for the second offense; and a maximum of P2,500 and automatic
revocation of license for the third offense.
San Nicolas Mayor Melanie
Grace Valdez favored the ordinance saying it is “highly recommended.”
Comments
Post a Comment