Measure requiring CCTV pushed

A Cebu City Councilor is pushing for an ordinance that will require the installation of operational closedcircuit television cameras in commercial, residential, and public establishments in the city.

City Councilor Joel Garganera said the purpose of the measure aims to ensure the safety and security of the public and to prevent the commission of crimes in the city.

Garganera said the existing City Ordinance 2381 will be repealed since there are numerous amendments, expanded coverage of violations and the imposition of higher penalties. Under the existing ordinance, only business establishments, residential subdivisions, and condominiums are covered.

For this new proposal, Garganera said the installation of CCTV cameras should be in all commercial, residential, and public establishments in the city.

This means he said all banks, gas stations, pawnshops, internet shops, factories, schools, markets, hotels, inns, travel agencies, coffee shops, subdivisions, parks, among other places are covered in the ordinance.

The implementing offices are the Office of the City Mayor, City Treasurer's Office, and the Peace and Order Council of Cebu City.

The city's business permit and licensing office will be asked to inspect the premises of establishments and residential areas and other covered in the ordinance.

Proposed penalties and violations are P3,000 fine for failure to install CCTV cameras, failure to operate and maintain the unit, failure to safe-keep records, publishing, releasing and reproducing footages to unauthorized people, delay in the surrender of the footages, among others.—

Jean Marvette A. Demecillo/MBG