ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA-9) – The Zamboanga City Peace and Order Council chaired by Mayor John Dalipe reinforces the closed-circuit television (CCTV) ordinance for all business establishments as a measure to counter terrorism and deter criminalities as well as serve as a source of information for the solution of crimes in Zamboanga City.
According to the Mayor Dalipe, the city will deny renewal of permits of business establishments that do not comply with the City Ordinance 499, which mandates the installation of CCTV systems in business establishments operating in the city.
City Police Director Col. Alexander Lorenzo emphasized the necessity also for barangays to install CCTVs in areas where crimes are prevalent and the establishment of a monitoring center for quick police intervention as part of his recommendations to ensure public safety and security in the city.
Lovely Catina, a student in Zamboanga City shared her agreement to the requirement of CCTV in business establishments for the safety and security of the public, especially in preventing robbery, “personally, i feel safer if the mall or the establishment have CCTV,” she added.
The Licensing Office, together with the City Computer Services Division will closely coordinate with the City Police Office during the conduct of inspections of business establishments to determine the presence of installed and operational CCTV systems pursuant to the ordinance.
Inspections will be intensified as part of the city’s drive to deter, prevent, detect and solve criminalities and to preserve recordings as evidence. This is also in preparation for the renewal of business permits come January 2024.
The ordinance mandates a CCTV system with four channels, two megapixel resolution cameras, and a timestamp feature, covering entrances, exits, and business activity centres. At least one camera must be facing the street, and when applicable, parking lots and drive-thru lanes.
Businesses with a minimum annual gross sales of Php 3 million or less are required to install CCTV systems, including amusement places, national chains, drug stores, financial institutions, hotels, hospitals, and other private facilities.
Penalties for non-compliance to the ordinance will include, no issuance or renewal of business permit or permit to operate, and a fine of Php 5,000. (RVC/EDT/MLE/JQB-GIP/PIA9-Zamboanga City).
