Amendment of CCTV Ordinance sought

THE City Council committee on public order and safety chaired by Councilor Romeo V. Calizo on Friday tackled Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular No. 2022-060 dated May 18, 2022, “Amending DILG MC 2014-119 entitled: Directing Cities/Municipalities/Capital Towns to require installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTC) for certain business establishments in accordance with Section 16 (General Welfare Clause) of RA 7160 to support maintenance of peace and order and public safety.

The amendment seeks to ensure that the guidelines for specifications, operation and retention of CCTV Systems, and the data it collects are consistent with the progress in technology and are addressing the growing privacy concerns over the years.

It encourages local Sanggunians to enact an ordinance for the prescription of CCTV Systems as a requirement for the issuance of business permits.

The circular likewise encourages all city and Municipal Peace and Order Council chairpersons to prioritize the inclusion of programs, projects and activities (PPAs) in relation to the guidelines prescribed by the MC in their Peace and Order and Public Safety (POPS) plans.

During the meeting, City DILG Director Engr. Jane Docallos said a holistic approach shall be undertaken over the said development. The agency that issues business permits should also be involved in the discussion and not just the building inspection office, she cited.

“Let us remember that in the issuance of business permits there are also certain requirements under

the Ease-of-Doing-Business (EODB), that’s why everyone should be briefed about it to ensure our effort will not run contrary to it, everything must be harmonized including the (amendment of) the (existing CCTV) ordinance,” Docallos explained.

A Technical Working Group, Task Group and all other units involved in the issuance of business permits may also be tasked to review the said legislation, she further suggested.

As requested also by Councilor Roger Abaday, the Office of the Building Official (OBO) will also be invited to discuss the Recommended Minimum Specifications of the CCTVs ordinance.

“Unsa ba gyud standard (specification) i-install diha sa building? Kinahanglan sad ni mahibal-an sa mga business establishments para dili sila maka violate sa ordinance,” the councilor pointed out.

These and other related matters shall be tackled during the committee’s next meeting along with the presentation of existing CCTVs installed by the Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (CDRRMD). (SP/JAOclarit)