AS part of the Mandaluyong City local government’s step to reduce criminality, all business owners and operators of certain establishments located in the city were ordered to install closed-circuit television systems (CCTVs).

City Ordinance No. 915, S-2023 or the “Ordinance Mandating Certain Business Establishments Operating Within The Territorial Jurisdiction of Mandaluyong to Install a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) System and Prescribing Penalties for Violations Thereof.”

The ordinance was created after several law enforcement agencies in the country have proven that CCTVs are among the most effective tools in crime deterrence, prevention, detection, and solution since there is a video recording that can be used in addition to testimonies of witnesses in a crime.

The ordinance said all business establishments covered by the said ordinance include:

1. Financial establishments such as banks, pawnshops, money lenders, money remittance services, money changers, and others with similar services.

2. Business establishments that are part of a national chain or have several branches in other parts of the country, such as restaurants/fast food chains, convenience stores, grocery stores, drug stores, cafes, coffee shops, and other similar establishments.

3. Shopping malls, shopping centers, supermarkets, wet markets or palengke, and other similar establishments.

4. Hospitals, laboratories, clinics, and other similar establishments.

5. Theaters, movie houses, arcades, internet cafes, and other places of entertainment that draw a considerable number of customers.

6. Public transportation terminals, parking lots, and other similar establishments that cater to a large number of vehicles.

7. Car dealerships, gasoline stations, vehicle maintenance/service stations.

8. Car wash shops.

9. Other business establishments that may be deemed necessary by the LGU, considering the nature of business and potential risk in their respective areas.

The Business Processing and Licensing Office (BPLO) will monitor the compliance of businesses to the said ordinance, and those that fail to comply will be slapped with a P50,000 fine and non-issuance or renewal of business permit and permit to operate.