BACOLOD City – The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) is advocating for amendments to the city’s closed-circuit television (CCTV) ordinances to bolster security and improve crime response in high-risk areas.
City Ordinance No. 695, known as the Bacolod City Eye in the Sky CCTV ordinance, and City Ordinance No. 600, which mandates CCTV installation for specific establishments, were designed to address the city’s rapid urban development.
However, BCPO director Colonel Joeresty Coronica stressed the need to update these measures in response to escalating traffic issues and rising crime rates, including incidents of murder, robbery, and theft.
Currently, CO No. 695 requires CCTV installations in strategic locations, including main thoroughfares, public markets, transport terminals, parks, and other congested areas.
CO No. 600 mandates that banks, financial institutions, and business establishments with a minimum capitalization of P3 million — especially those within malls — install CCTV systems to record activities within their premises.
Coronica proposed expanding the ordinance to include smaller establishments, which are currently exempt from the requirement.
He recommended that CCTVs be positioned at entrances to ensure clear identification of individuals entering the premises, as some setups have limited effectiveness, especially if people wear hats or obscure their faces.
The proposal was discussed during a recent meeting on the Super City Road Map with Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and department heads at the Bacolod City Government Center.
Additionally, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) is advancing a project to establish a command center in Barangay Taculing. The facility, currently under construction, will support an upcoming citywide CCTV network with around 180 cameras, enhancing peace and order and enabling rapid response during emergencies./PN
