MANILA- Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo urged yesterday all local chief executives to install closed circuit television  cameras in their localities to help deter and solve crimes.

Robredo said the installation of CCTV cameras would support the peace and order initiatives of local governments, particularly cities and municipalities with high demographic concentration and robust economic activities.

“As local authorities are mandated under the Local Government Code to ensure peace and order as well as public safety in their localities, they should employ strategies and means to keep their communities crime-free and ward-off would-be criminals,” he said.

In his directive, Robredo said that local governments that decide to make use of a CCTV system should ensure that such surveillance equipment should be installed in strategic places and at heights free from human intervention.

“It has to be manned 24/7 by at least five trained local government personnel,” he said.

He said that during his term as Naga City (Camarines Sur) mayor, the installation of CCTV equipment as well as the increased coordination among emergency service providers such as the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police and the city’s Public Safety Office significantly improved the city’s peace and order situation.

Robredo also said that the Naga City Police District was even chosen as Model Police Office during the 19th anniversary of the PNP because of its significant anti-crime gains with the help of surveillance cameras.

He also encourages local executives to enact if none exists, or to amend, when necessary, an ordinance requiring the installation of CCTVs in business establishments.

A number of LGUs have already passed ordinances requiring businesses to install CCTV equipment. Among them are the cities of Iloilo, Pasig, Mandaue, Muntinlupa, Iligan and Quezon.*PNA

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