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

NYO
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES | « Zz

"Introduced by Representative Rufus B, Rodriguez and
_Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. ~

House Bill No. 2449
EXPLANATORY NOTE

Crime data gathered by the Philippine National Police (PNP) showed
that from January to November 2011, the PNP recorded 230,817 crime
incidents. While this number is lower compared to previous years like in 2009
where there were a reported 333,416 crime incidents, it is still very high. One
way to lower this 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.
‘
Vn

RUFUS B. RODRI

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


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

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No. 2449

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 of
2013".

SEC 2. Declaration of Policy — It is 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)
employeesiworkers 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 turned 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

All 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 shall 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 limited 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 or civil proceeding;
(©) 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. Separabilily 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,