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A recently-filed House bill in the 19th Congress mandates all businesses employing more than 20 workers and with a work premises of not less than 50 meters to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) or surveillance cameras.

House Bill (HB) No.8068 was jointly authored and filed by Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte, Benguet lone district Rep. Eric Yap and ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Edvic Yap.

The solons said that the installation of the CCTV cameras would serve as a means to means to deter crime and aid investigations conducted by law enforcers.

“We should use technology to our advantage to help keep our citizens safe. Installing CCTV cameras in strategic areas is an effective crime prevention measure, and can be a useful tool to help police investigators solve crime,” Duterte said in justifying the measure.

Business establishments employing less than 20 workers or whose work premises are less than 50 meters but with transactions amounting to at least P50,000 per day are also required to install and maintain CCTV cameras.

Under HB No.8068, business establishments covered by the measure shall install and maintain CCTV cameras in all their entrances and exits, within the premises of their work areas, the perimeter of their work areas and other places in their business premises, except in restrooms, toilers, showers, bathrooms, changing rooms, and other similar spaces.

The bill also makes the installation of CCTV cameras a prerequisite for the issuance of business permits or permits to operate of commercial establishments, including, but not limited to, restaurants, hospitals, malls, shopping centers, movie houses, theaters, supermarkets, groceries, entertainment centers, office buildings, warehouses, and cockpit arenas.

“These business establishments shall ensure that their surveillance/CCTV cameras are turned on and recording for twenty-four (24) hours each day and for 7 seven (days)  each week. They shall keep a deposit of video recordings from their surveillance/CCTV cameras for a period of not less than sixty (60) days from the date of recording,” the bill stated.

Business establishments shall also inform the public about the installation and use of CCTV cameras in their premises through written notices prominently displaced at their entrances.

The owners or managers of business establishments are required under the bill to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of the video feeds and recordings obtained as a result of the use of their CCTV cameras.

Thus, they shall prohibit the use, viewing, copying, disclosure, or publication of said video feeds, except in circumstances outlined under the measure.