FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 3308 
Introduced By Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution of the Philippines declares that it is a policy of the State to 
maintain peace and order and to protect the life and property of the general public. 
It is noted that the occurrence of theft, harassment, vandalism, and other such crimes 
is becoming increasingly common-place in many private commercial establishments. 
This is particularly alarming taking into consideration the need to ensure the safety 
of private establishments such as banks, financial establishments, schools, gas 
stations, and the like. 
The rising crime incidence shows that there is an inadequacy in the security 
systems currently being implemented by private establishments. The installation of 
surveillance cameras or closed circuit televisions CCCTVs") would address any lack 
in security personnel. CCTVs would also supplement existing security systems of 
establishments since it would empower security and victims to review a record of 
events that transpired. CCTVs would help victims identify perpetrators and would 
provide evidence of the crime. CCTVs would also allow owners of commercial 
establishments to monitor a greater area with fewer personnel requirement. The 
real-time video feed would also better prepare security personnel to monitor 
particularly, suspicious individuals and to prevent the commencement of any 
planned crifDinal activity. 
The present proposed legislation aims to protect and empower the general 
public against criminal elements that would threaten the State's peace and order. 
The passage of the present proposed legislation would uphold the State's worthy 
ideals to protect life and property. 
MAN~~: 
M. LAPID 
Senator 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
ttL 
SENATE 
S.B. No.3306 
Introduced By Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
MANDATING THE USE OF SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS FOR THE SECURITY 
AND SAFETY OF COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS 
I 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
I 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Surveillance 
Camera Act for Commercial Establishments" . 
SEC. 
2. 
Declaration of Policy. 
Under Article II Section 5 of the 
Constitution, it is the policy of the State to maintain peace and order, to protect life, 
liberty and property, and to promote the general welfare of the general public. As 
such, the surveillance and security of commercial establishments should be 
regulated to prevent criminal incidents in said establishments. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the term: 
(a) 
"Surveillance camera" refers to electronic devices used for recording 
images of a particular area, premises, or place, such as but not limited to closed 
circuit televisions (CCTV's). 
(b) 
"Video feed" refers to the live input of a surveillance camera. 
(c) 
"Video record" or "video recording" refers to the electronic record of the 
images captured by a surveillance camera. 
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(d) 
"Commercial establishment" refers to any establishment used for 
commercial purposes and operating for, selling products to, or providing services to 
, 
the general public. The term refers to establishments such as but not limited to retail 
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stores, banks, financial institutions, supermarkets, schools, kindergartens, hotels, 
and restaurants. 
(e) 
"Covered establishment" refers to any commercial establishment with 
work premises of not less than fifty (50) square meters. 
SEC. 4. Duties of Covered Establishments. -
It shall be the duty of all 
covered establishments to: 
(a) 
Install and maintain in good working condition surveillance cameras 
within the premises of their work area (i.e., cashier's areas, aisles or areas that are 
obstructed from public view, entrance of restrooms, and the like); 
(b) 
Install and maintain in good working condition surveillance cameras to 
monitor the perimeter of their establishment; 
(c) 
Ensure that surveillance cameras are turned on and recording for 
twenty-four (24) hours per day and for seven (7) days per week; 
(d) 
Ensure that video feeds are being monitored by security employees or 
personnel specifically tasked to do so; 
(e) 
Keep a deposit of video recordings for a period of not less than thirty 
(30) days from the date of recording; 
(f) 
In the instances covered by Section 8 of this Act, to make video 
recordings available upon request and to allow copies thereof to be made, at the 
expense of the requesting party. 
SEC., 5. 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. 
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SEC. 6. Prohibited Surveillance. -
The installation of surveillance cameras 
in any restroom, toilet, shower, bathroom, changing room, and other such areas 
where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy shall be prohibited. 
SEC. 7. 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 establishment 
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. 8. Allowed Use and Disclosure. - The use, copying, or disclosure of 
video records obtained pursuant to establislunent 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 pUllishable by law or regulation; 
(b) 
Use, copying, or disclosure to further and in connection with any 
pending criminal or 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. 
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SEC. 9. Penal Clause - Any act or omission causing the violation of duties 
ascribed to commercial establishment under this Act shall be punishable with 
imprisonment not exceeding six (6) months, or a fine not exceeding One thousand 
pesos (Pi,OOO.OO), 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. 
SEC. 10. 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. 
SEC. 11. Separability Clause. - If any proviSion or part of this Act shall be 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected 
shall remain in full force and effect. 
SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances, 
rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 13. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved, 
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