NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
)
SENATE
s. No. 1277
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72 SEP “5 P4 51
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INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJEROTO
AN ACT
MANDATING THE USE OF SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS FOR THE SECURITY 
AND SAFETY OF COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II Section 5 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that the 
maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property of all 
people.
According to the Philippine National Police Nationwide Crime Statistics Report 
for July 2022, the total crime incidents rose to 30,802 with an average monthly crime 
rate of 27.1.1 Tbe occurrence of theft, robbery, abductions, and other heinous crimes 
has been Increasing around the country. The public has played an active participation 
in reporting crimes through video recordings from public or private surveillance 
cameras which helped law enforcements solve the crimes.
In May 18, 2022, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 
issued Memorandum Circular (MC) 2022-060. The Memorandum circular encouraging 
ail local government units, specifically, cities and municipalities to enact ordinances on 
the installation of surveillance cameras. In the MC, the installation of CCTV Systems 
may be a requirement for the issuance of business permits to establishment catering
1 Crime Statistics-July 2022: https://pnp.gov.ph/crime-statistics/


to a large number of customers, and to those that are at risk or hazard-prone.2 The 
DILG believes that installation of surveillance cameras is a powerful tool than can help 
LGUs in ensuring public safety, deterring crimes, and identifying and apprehending 
culprits.
Thu, this measure seeks to address the rising crime incidence and to show the 
inadequacy of proper security systems in different establishments. The mandatory 
installation of surveillance cameras in commercial establishments can address any lack 
In security personnel and can also supplement existing security systems. Further, this 
measure aims to protect and empower the public against criminal elements that 
threaten the State's peace and order, and to ensure the safety of all.
In view of the foregoing, the swift passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
/ . 
^(C:r
JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
2 DILG Memorandun Circular No. 2022-06https://www.dilg.gov.ph/PDF File/issuances/memo circulars/dilg- 
memocircular-2022519 d95149f39c.pdf


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
s. No. 1277
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of tl:e ^'rrrrtnr^
•22 SEP-5 P4 51
mnm m.
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJEROTO
AN ACT
MANDATING THE USE OF SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS FOR THE SECURITY 
AND SAFETY OF COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines, in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "^Surveillance Camera
2 
for Commercial Establishments Act of 2022".
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It Is the policy of the State to maintain peace
4 
and order, to protect life, liberty and property, and to promote the general welfare of
5 
the general public. Towards this end, the surveillance and security of commercial
6 
establishments should be regulated to maintain safety and prevent criminal incidents
7 
in said establishments.
8 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall
9 
mean:
10 
a. Surveillance Camera refers to electronic devices used for recording images
11 
of a particular area, premises, or place, such as but not limited to closed
12 
circuit televisions (CCTVs);
13 
b. Video Feed refers to the live input of a surveillance camera;
14 
c. Video Record or Video Recording refers to the electronic record of the
15 
Images captured by a surveillance camera;
16 
d. Commercial Establishment refers to any establishment used for commercial
17 
purposes and operating for, selling products to, or providing services to the


1 
general public. The term refers to establishments including but not limited
2 
to retail stores, banks, financial institutions, supermarkets, schools,
3 
kindergartens, hotels and restaurants; and
4 
e. Covered Establishments refers to any commercial establishment with work
5 
premises of not less than fifty (50) square meters.
6 
Sec. 4. Duties of Covered Establishments. - It shall be the duty of all covered
7 
establishments to:
8 
a. Install and maintain good working condition and high-quality resolution
9 
surveillance cameras Inside and outside their premises frequented by the
10 
public or where people usually transact business of their work area;
11 
b. Ensure that the surveillance cameras are able to monitor the perimeters of
12 
the establishment that it can delineate the activity and physical features of
13 
individuals and areas being recorded;
14 
c. Ensure that surveillance cameras are turned on and recording for twenty-
15 
four hours (24) per day and for seven (7) days per week;
16 
d. Ensure that the video feeds are being monitored by security employees or
17 
personnel specifically tasked to do so;
18 
e. Keep a deposit of video recordings for a period of not less than thirty (30)
19 
days from the date of recording; and
20 
f. Make video recordings available within a reasonable period upon request
21 
and to allow copies thereof to be made, at the expense of the requesting
22 
party on instances covered under Section 8 of this Act.
23 
The licensing office of every city or municipality shall require the installation of
24 
surveillance cameras or video surveillance system as a mandatory requirement before
25 
the Issuance of a business permit or permit to operate, and the renewal thereof.
26 
Sec. 5. Notice of Surveillance. - The general public shall be informed that
27 
surveillance cameras have been installed In an establishment through a written notice
28 
displayed in the entrance of the establishment or in other conspicuous area of the
29 
covered establishment.
30


1 
Sec. 6. Prohibited Surveillance. -The installation of surveillance cameras in any
2 
restroom, toilet, shower, bathroom, changing room, and other such areas where there
3 
is reasonable expectation of privacy shall be prohibited.
4 
Sec. 7. Confidentiality and Non-disclosure of Recordings. -The owner and/or
5 
manager of the commercial establishment shall maintain the privacy and
6 
confidentiality of the video feeds and records obtained as a result of establishment
7 
surveillance performed in accordance with this Act. As such, said owner and/or
8 
manager shall prohibit any use, viewing, disclosure, or publication of said video
9 
recordings.
10 
Sec. 8. Allowed Use and Disclosure. -The use, copying, or disclosure of video
11 
records obtained pursuant to establishment surveillance performed in accordance with
12 
this Act shall only be allowed in the following instances:
13 
a. Use, copying, or disclosure to a member or officer of a law enforcement
14 
agency in connection with and limited to the investigation or prosecution of
15 
an offense punishable by law or regulation;
16 
b. Use, copying, or disclosure to further and in connection with any pending
17 
criminal or civil proceeding;
18 
c. Use or disclosure that may be necessary to avoid an imminent threat to
19 
persons or property; or
20 
d. Use of disclosure that may be necessary for persons to determine whether
21 
or not an offense was committed against their person or property, to
22 
ascertain the identity of a criminal perpetrator, and to determining the
23 
manner by which an offense was consummated.
24 
It shall be the responsibility of the owner and/or manager, or their agents to
25 
ensure that the conditions for use, copying, or disclosure of video recordings are
26 
reasonably established before giving access to requesting parties. The extent of video
27 
recordings to be viewed, used, copied, or disclosed shall be limited to the images
28 
pertaining to the above-mentioned Instances.
29 
Sec. 9. Pena! Clause. - Any act or omission causing the violation of duties
30 
ascribed to commercial establishment under this Act shall be punishable with
31 
imprisonment not exceeding six (6) months, or a fine not exceeding Ten Thousand


1 
Pesos (Php 10,000.00), or both; without prejudice to other civil or criminai liabilities
2 
that may arise therefrom.
3 
The owner and/or manager of the establishment shall likewise be answerabie
4 
for violations of this Act; provided that it is shown that the violation was due to his/her
5 
direct participation, lack of supervision, or negligence.
6 
Sec. 10. Implementing Agency. - The Department of Interior and Local
7 
Government (DILG) and the respective local government units with jurisdiction over
8 
the area wherein a covered establishment is located shall ensure implementation and
9 
enforcement of this Act.
10 
Sec. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Withing sixty (60) days from
11 
the effectivity of his Act, the Secretary of the DILG, in consultation with the appropriate
12 
government agencies and other stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules
13 
and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.
14 
Sec. 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
15 
unconstitutional, the provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force
16 
and effect.
17 
Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or
18 
parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
19 
hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly.
20 
Sec. 13. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect immediately after fifteen (15)
21 
days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
22 
circulation.
Approved,