Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Congressional Hills, Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 353 7

Introduced by Representative Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippine National Police (PNP) acknowledges the usefulness of closed
circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the premises of commercial establishments to deter
crime and assist them in their crime investigations. According to the PNP, their efficiency

rating in solving crimes has improved with the use of CCTV cameras.

CCTV cameras prevent and reduce crimes in a number of ways: through
deterrence (potential burglars and thieves may see the camera and decide that a store in
question is too much of a risk and therefore not a good target), prosecution (thieves and
shoplifters may be caught on camera and this can help catch and prosecute them), fear
reduction (if everyone knows that there is a camera, they may feel safer in or around your
business, thus preventing potential criminals from attacking) and monitoring and
intervention (if there is a security guard monitoring the area through CCTV system, he or
she may act on any suspicious behavior and thus prevent a crime from occurring). Most
key cities in the country had already adopted the measure requiring business
establishments to install CCTV security systems as a requisite for issuance of business

license and permit to operate. These LGUs have, in fact, experienced improved peace and


order situations upon the adoption of the measure. We seck to replicate and expand local
ordinances adopted by these requiring business establishments to install closed circuit

television (CCTV) security systems.

Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested

woul hy TAS-AGABAS
Represepitative

Sixth District, Pangasinan



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Congressional Hills, Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL

Introduced by Representative Marlyn L. Prim

AN ACT
REQUIRING BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS TO INSTALL CLOSED CIRCUIT
TELEVISION (CCTV) CAMERAS IN THEIR PLACE OF BUSINESS
AS A MEANS TO DETER CRIME

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 Cameras for Security
Act of 2014."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to serve and protect the
people, to maintain peace and order, to protect life, liberty, and property, and to promote

the general welfare

SECTION 3. Installation of CCTV Cameras. - All business establishments employing
more than twenty (20) employees and with work premises of not less than fifty (50)

meters are hereby mandated to install and maintain in good working condition


surveillance and/or closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in all their entrance and
exits, within the premises of their work area, the perimeter of their work areas, and other
areas in their business premises to protect their patrons and employees and to deter crime.
Business establishments employing less than twenty (20) people or whose work premises
is less than fitly (50) meters, but whose transactions amount to not less than fitly
thousand pesos (PhP 50,000.00) each day, shall also install and maintain surveillance
and/or CCTV cameras.

These business establishments shall ensure that their surveillance/CCTV cameras
are turned on and recording for twenty-four (24) hours cach day and for seven (7) days
each week, They shall keep a deposit of video recordings from their surveillance/CCTV

cameras for a period of not less than sixty (60) days fiom the date of recording

The installation of surveillance/CCTV cameras shall be a mandatory requirement

before business permits or permits to operate are issued,

For purposes of this Act, business establishments refers to any establishment used
for commercial purposes and operating for, selling products to, or providing services to
the general public. They shall include but shall not be limited to restaurants, hospitals,
malls, shopping centers, movie-houses, theaters, supermarkets, groceries, entertainment
centers, office buildings, warehouses, and other similar establishments

SECTION 4. Notice of Surveillance. - The fact that surveillance/CCTV cameras have

been installed in a business establishment shall be made known to the general public

through a written notice prominently displayed at the entrance of the establishment.

SECTION 5. Prohibited Surveillance. - The installation of surveillance/CCTV cameras in
any restroom, toilet, shower, bathroom, changing room, and other similar areas shall be

prohibited


SECTION 6. Confidentiality and Non-disclosure of Video Recordings. - The owner
and/or manager of the business establishment shall maintain the privacy and
confidentiality of the video feeds and recordings obtained as a result of the surveillance
performed in accordance with this Act. Towards this end, the owner and/or manager shall
prohibit the use, viewing, copying, disclosure, or publication of said video feeds and

recordings for any purpose not allowed under this Act.

SECTION 7. Allowed Use and Disclosure. - The use, viewing, copying, or disclosure of I
video feeds ajld recordings obtained pursuant to the surveillance performed in
accordance with this Act shall only be allowed in the following instances:

a) Use, viewing, copying, or disclosure to a member or officer of a law enforcement
agency in connection with and limited to the investigation or prosecution of an
offense punishable by law or regulation;

b) Use, viewing, copying, or disclosure in connection with any pending criminal or
civil proceeding; or

Use, viewing, copying, 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 the offense was perpetrated,

It shall be the responsibility of the owner and/or manager to ensure that the
conditions for the use, viewing, copying, or disclosure of video feeds and recordings are
reasonably established before giving access to requesting parties. The extent of video
feeds and recordings to be used, viewed, copied, or disclosed shall be limited to the

images pertaining to the above-mentioned instances.

SECTION 8. Penalties. - Any act or omission causing the violation of duties ascribed to
business establishments under this Act shall be punishable with imprisonment not

exceeding six (6) months, or a fine not exceeding one thousand pesos (PhP 1,000.00), or


both, without prejudice to other civil or criminal liabilities that may arise therefrom. The
owner and/or manager of the establishment shall likewise be answerable for violations of
this Act, provided that it is shown that the violation was due to his/her direct

participation, lack of supervision, or negligence.

SECTION 9. Implementing Agency. - The Department of Interior and Local Government
and the respective local government units with jurisdiction over the area wherein a
covered establishment is located shall ensure the implementation and enforcement of this

Act

SECTION 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Interior and Local Government, in consultation
with appropriate government agencies and other stakeholders, shall promulgate the

necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act

SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders and
rules and regulations or part thereof, contrary to, or inconsistent with the provisions of.

this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 12. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be found
unconstitutional by a court of law, such provision shall be severed from the remainder of
this Act, and such action shall not affect the enforceability of the remaining provisions of
this Act.

SECTION 13. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in any two (2) national newspapers of general circulation

Approved,