EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS: )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION ’

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

ifus B, Rodriguez _
1831

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representativ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

A way to lower the country’s high crime rate is to provide deterrents which will make
would be criminals think twice and reconsider. And one very effective form of deterrent is the
installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras. CCTV cameras will not only
prevent crime, it can also help in solving crimes. Data from the PNP also showed that for
2011, physical assault and theft were the two largest contributors to the total number of
incidents. These types of crimes can be easily solved with the help of CCTV’s. When you
read newspapers, there are many news reports with the following headlines or similar ones:
“CCTV catches robber mauling woman”; “CCTV catches theft inside CDO hospital”; “CCTV
catches theft inside training center in Manila’. Even one of the actors of the Phantom of the
Opera was victimized by theft, which was also captured on CCTV.

Unfortunately, many establishments refuse to put up CCTV's because of added
expenses. It is therefore high time that CCTV cameras become mandatory requirements for
different establishments all over the country.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Nye
RUFUS B. RODI


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
THIRD REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bill No. 1831.

AN ACT
REQUIRING BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS ALL OVER THE PHILIPPINES TO INSTALL
CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION (CCTV) CAMERAS IN THEIR PLACE OF BUSINESS AS
A MEANS TO DETER CRIME, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the "CCTV Act’.

‘SEC 2. Declaration of Policy — Itis the policy of the state to serve and protect the people, to
maintain peace and order, to protect the life of life, liberty, and property of its citizens and to
promote the general welfare.

SEC 3. Installation of Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) - All business
establishments employing more than twenty (20) employees/workers and with work
premises of not less than fifty (50) meters in the Philippines are hereby mandated to install
and maintain in good working condition high quality surveillance and/or CCTV cameras in
all their entrance and exits, within the premises of their work area, the perimeter of their
work areas/establishments and other areas of their business to protect their patrons and to
deter crime. The CCTV cameras to be installed should be able to clearly show the faces of
the persons recorded.

These establishments are also hereby mandated to ensure that these
surveillance/CCTV cameras are tured on and recording for twenty-four (24) hours per day
and for seven (7) days per week. They are also mandated to keep a deposit of video
recordings for a period of not less than sixty (60) days from the date of recording

The installation of CCTV cameras is also hereby declared to be a mandatory
requirement before business permits or permits to operate are issued,

Business establishments include, but are not limited to, restaurants, hospitals, malls,
shopping centers, movie houses, supermarkets, groceries, entertainment centers, office
buildings, warehouses and other similar establishments.

Alll government offices and buildings are also mandated to install CCTV cameras.

‘SEC 4. Notice of Surveillance ~ The fact that surveillance cameras have been installed
in an establishment shall be made known to the general public through a written
notice displayed in the entrance of the establishment.

SEC 5. Prohibited Surveillance — The installation of surveillance cameras in any restroom,
toilet, shower, bathroom, changing room, and other similar areas shalll be prohibited.

SEC 6. Confidentiality and Non-disclosure of Recordings — The owner and/ or manager of
the commercial establishment shall maintain the privacy and confidentiality of the video
feeds and records obtained as a result of the surveillance performed in accordance with


this Act. Towards such end, said owner and/ or manager shall prohibit any use, viewing,
disclosure, or publication of said video recordings.

SEC 7. Allowed Use and Disclosure — The use, copying, or disclosure of video records
obtained pursuant to the surveillance performed in accordance with this Act shall only be
allowed in the following instances:
(a) Use, copying, or disclosure to a member or officer of a law enforcement agency in
connection with and |imited to the investigation or prosecution of an offense
punishable by law or regulation;
(b) Use, copying, or disclosure to further and in connection with any pending criminal
oF civil proceeding;
(c)_Use or disclosure that may be necessary to avoid an imminent threat to persons or
property; or
(d) Use or disclosure that may be necessary for persons to determine whether or not
an offense was committed against their person or property, to ascertain the identity
of a criminal perpetrator, and to determine the manner by which an offense was
‘consummated

It shall be the responsibility of the owner and/ or manager, or their agents, to ensure
that the conditions for use, copying, or disclosure of video recordings are reasonably
established before giving access to requesting parties. The extent of video recordings to
be viewed, used, copied, or disclosed shall be limited to the images pertaining to the
above-mentioned instances.

SEC 8. Penalties — For private establishments, any person or establishment who violates
any provision of this Act will be punished by a fine of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php
50,000.00) and a suspension of its permit to operate or business permit until CCTV cameras
are installed.

For government offices, non-installation of CCTV's shall be considered as
nonfeasance and shall be subject to the proper penalties provided for in appropriate laws.

SEC 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The Department of Interior and Local
Government, together with the Philippine National Police, shall prescribe the necessary rules
and regulations to implement this act.

SEC 10. Repealing Clause. All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof
in conflict with the provision of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC 11. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any provision of this Act or the application
thereof to any person or circumstances, is held invalid, the remaining provision not affected
thereby shall be in full force and effect.

SEC 12. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette
or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,