ALL commercial establishments in Cebu Province with closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras may soon be required to submit their recordings and video feeds to law enforcement agencies.
This after a proposed ordinance filed by Cebu Provincial Board Member Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano was approved on first reading last Monday.
The proposed ordinance has been referred to the committee on order and public safety, chaired by PB member Sun Shimura.
Ouano said that the ordinance will compel business establishments to assist law enforcement agencies by surrendering their CCTV recordings, especially if they witness a crime.
An establishment owner who refuses to follow the ordinance will pay a penalty of P5,000 or suffer imprisonment for one year.
But Ouano clarified that the ordinance will only require commercial establishments to submit CCTV recordings if these are needed in a crime investigation.
It also ensures that the identity of the establishment that provided the CCTV recordings will be protected.