Bill on GPS, CCTV for PUVs passes 2nd reading
A bill mandating public utility vehicles to install electronic communication gadgets like the global positioning system and closed circuit television as a means to deter crime has been approved on second reading at the House of Representatives.
House Bill 6112, approved by legislators through viva voce (voice vote) recently, states that GPS and CCTVs can gather the necessary information to help prosecute criminals.
The measure ensures the safety of citizens, particularly the public transport users, from criminal activities such as theft, robbery, homicide, kidnapping and the like.
HB 6112, titled “Public Utility Vehicle Monitoring Act,” refers to CCTVs as an electronic system equipped with video cameras capable of recording and storing digital information and connected to a set of monitors designed to perform surveillance over a limited area.
GPS trackers are electronic communication devices that use the GPS to determine, track and record the PUVs’ precise location, or of anything on which it is attached or mounted, at regular intervals.
The bill provides that no PUV shall be allowed to operate on any road or highway without the required CCTV and GPS tracker, installed, duly authenticated, and sealed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
A minimum of two units of CCTV shall be installed for every type of PUV. Replacement of damaged or stolen CCTV or GPS tracker must undergo the same process of installation, authentication and sealing.
The PUV shall be required to display a written notice boldly displayed in conspicuous locations outside and inside the body of the PUV to inform the passengers that the PUV is equipped with CCTV and GPS tracker.
No operator shall be granted a certificate of public convenience without complying with these requirements.
Operators of PUVs, which are already in operation, shall comply with the requirements upon renewal of registration or not later than six months from the promulgation of the implementing rules and regulations of the bill, whichever comes earlier.
The LTFRB, in coordination with the Departments of Transportation, Information and Communications Technology, and Trade and Industry-Bureau of Product Standards, shall provide for the specifications and standards of the required GPS tracker and CCTV.
This should include the storage device, which must be capable of recording at least 30 calendar days of information before being overridden by subsequent ones.
The LTFRB central office and its regional offices shall establish, maintain and manage a GPS tracking server and an archive of all CCTV recordings of PUVs which are subject of complaints filed before it and of PUVs involved in traffic accidents.
The LTFRB, in coordination with the Land Transportation Office, shall also establish, maintain and manage a GPS tracking server and archive to be manned by authorized LTO personnel in LTO offices.
These LTO offices should be located in strategic areas for data gathering and to ensure the effective monitoring of every registered PUV.
The confidentiality of the videos and other information captured by and stored in the CCTV shall be maintained. The use, viewing, disclosure or publication of the contents of the storage device, whether in whole or in part, is prohibited.
Upon official written request or electronic mail by a law enforcement agency, its agents shall be granted access to a particular GPS tracking record of the subject vehicle during the conduct of a criminal, administrative, or traffic investigation or police operation.