The Cebu City government will require private establishments, subdivisions and condominiums to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in their premises starting next month to ensure security in the city.
The installation is mandated by Cebu City Ordinance (CO) 2381, known as the CCTV law of the city, which was approved in January 2014. The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the ordinance were approved in January this year and took effect in May after it was published in local newspapers on April 14.
All businesses required to install CCTVs were given a 120-day grace period, which will lapse by the end of this month.
Among the companies compelled to install the devices are high-risk establishments such as banks, pawnshops, jewelry stores, money courier and wire-transfer firms, hotels, and games and amusement centers.
Other areas considered high-risk are nightclubs, KTV (karaoke television) and resto bars, spas and massage parlors.
Also covered by the IRR are lending companies, money changers, shopping malls, gas stations, coffee shops, internet cafes and retail shops with an annual income of P5 million or higher.
Private schools, hospitals, parking lots, wet and dry markets and factories are also required to install CCTVs.
Corresponding penalties will be imposed on violators of the ordinance.
For the first offense, a fine of P2,000 will be meted to managers or operators of business establishments and the homeowners’ association president or representative in the case of residential areas.
A fine of P3,000 and P5,000 will be imposed on second- and third-time offenders, respectively.