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[av_heading heading=’Security cameras now must in all motels, seaports ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO City – Motels and similar establishments are now required to install closed circuit television (CCTVs) cameras.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) yesterday approved an amendment on Article 3 of Regulation Ordinance No. 2011-307 to include motels and the like among businesses that must have security cameras.
Prior to the amendment, only the following were required to have CCTVs:
* banks (including their satellite offices, branches and automated teller machines)
* money changers
* pawnshops
* other credit lending and financial institutions
* hotels
* malls
* supermarkets
* fuel, petrol or gas stations
* transport terminals
* convenience stores operating 24 hours or which operate during night time
* private schools
* stores selling liquor (including but not limited to disco houses or clubs)
* places and spaces where critical assets or properties of the city government are situated.
In yesterday’s approved amendment, also included were pension houses and lodging houses.
“These establishments have become susceptible to crimes because of the ease of access in obtaining rooms and the uncomplicated check-out scheme,” said Councilor Ely Estante who pressed for the amendment.
Upon the suggestion of Councilor Joshua Alim, seaports were included, too.
Security cameras can help deter or solve crimes, said Estante.
When the then proposed Regulation Ordinance No. 2011-307 was deliberated a few years ago, motels, lodging houses and similar establishments were considered for inclusion. However, their operators protested. They claimed the privacy of their clients would be violated and this, in turn, could adversely affect their businesses.
Estante pressed for their inclusion after the court dismissed early this year the case for violation of the ordinance filed by the city government’s Task Force on Morals and Values Formation against Moonlight Lodge in Arevalo district where a 15-year-old girl was found dead in June 2016.
According to the court, the ordinance did not cover lodges, inns and similar establishments.
The alleged rape of a young woman at a motel in Mandurriao district last month further strengthened Estante’s resolve to press for the amendment./PN
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