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BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Wednesday, May 10, 2017
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ILOILO City – Motels, lodging houses and similar businesses must have closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras, according to Councilor Ely Estante.
Regulation Ordinance No. 2011- 307 requires high-risk businesses to have security cameras but does not cover motels, lodging houses and similar businesses.
These establishments are now high-risk, stressed Estante. He recalled that June last year, a 15-year-old girl was killed at a lodge in Arevalo district.
“They are prone to crimes because of their uncomplicated check-in and check-out scheme,” he explained.
During yesterday’s regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Estante introduced an amendment to Regulation Ordinance No. 2011- 307 to include these establishments. It was passed on first reading then referred to the committee on police, fire, penology, public safety, order and security, dangerous drugs and rehabilitation.
“There will be a committee hearing kay ti may apektado nga business establishments. Kinahanglan kuhaon ta ila reactions kag suggestions,” said Estante.
Regulation Ordinance No. 2011- 307 currently considers as high-risk only banks (including their satellite offices, branches and automated teller machines, money changers, pawnshops, and 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); and places and spaces where critical assets or properties of the city government are situated.
When the ordinance was being deliberated a few years ago, motels, lodging houses and similar establishments were considered for inclusion. However, the operators of these businesses protested.
They claimed the privacy of their clients would be violated and this, in turn, would adversely affect their operation.
Estante is hopeful that this time around, the operators would agree to be covered by Regulation Ordinance No. 2011- 307.
“Subong necessity na, need na butangan sang CCTV,” insisted Estante.
The committee on police, fire, penology, public safety, order and security, dangerous drugs and rehabilitation is chaired by Councilor Jeffrey Ganzon. Estante said among the things it would discuss is the specific location of security cameras in motels, lodging houses and similar establishments.
These will most likely be positioned in the entrance and exit areas, said Estante.
Recently, the court dismissed the case, particularly violation of the CCTV ordinance, filed by the city government’s Task Force on Morals and Values Formation against the owner and manager of Moonlight Lodge in Arevalo district where a 15-year-old girl was killed in June last year.
According to the court, the ordinance covered high-risk establishments only, not lodges or inns and similar establishments. (With a report from the Iloilo City PIO/PN)
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