π£πππ¨ ππ’π‘ππ¨ππ§π¦ πππ§π© π’π₯πππ‘ππ‘ππ ππ’π π£ππππ‘ππ π¦π£π’π§ πππππ ππ‘ π¦ππ‘ ππ¨ππ‘ ππ¨ ππππ’π π π’πππ§ππ’π‘ ππ¦π§πππππ¦ππ ππ‘π§π¦
By: Joanna C. Guerrero and Jiroh Joy Marbella, GPC-SP | Photos By: SP | Date: July 22, 2022
To ensure the safety and security of tourists in the province, Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Committee Chair on Tourism, Board Member (BM) Joy R. Ortega spearheaded a spot check in random tourism accommodation establishments in San Juan, La Union on July 22, 2022 to check on their compliance to Provincial Ordinance 083-2016, otherwise known as the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) Ordinance.
This ordinance requires all business establishments, schools, and government offices within the territorial jurisdiction of La Union to set-up, install and maintain or operate 24/7 CCTV System within their premises, providing penalties thereof and for other purposes.
SP Vice Chair on Tourism BM Henry Balbin; representatives from the Office of BM Victor Rivera; Provincial Tourism Office, Provincial Employment Services Office, SP Secretariat, Provincial Treasurerβs Office, San Juan Permits and Licensing Office also served as part of the inspection team.
The team visited eight hotels and transient houses. Three out of eight were fully compliant with the ordinance. The others were reported to have defective CCTV units, no monitoring area, no functional CCTVs and no installed CCTVs. PMAJ NAPOLEON A LANGO, Chief of Police, San Juan Police Station, accompanied the inspection team and warned non-compliant establishments to immediately adhere to the ordinance, otherwise, a notice of closure shall follow.
The inspection was immediately followed by a Focus Group Discussion led by BM Ortegaβs Chief of Staff, Ms. Grissa Campos and Sangguniang Panlalawigan Board Secretary Jane Flores. SP Committee on Tourism highlighted the importance of CCTVs for security purposes due to the increase of theft cases in the San Juan Surf area.
BM Ortega suggested to revisit and amend the ordinance to conform with the current trends and technology ensuring clear capture of videos. She further emphasized the need to have strict enforcement of the ordinance and increase penalties from Php 5,000 per offense to Php 5,000 per day with no warning. βPeople must follow laws and know we mean business since this is also for their own safety," she said.
Among the significant recommendations also raised were the amendment of several provisions of the CCTV Ordinance, particularly on the coverage to include transient houses, mini- grocery stores, and transport terminals; That LGUs in the province shall strictly implement Section 6 of the CCTV Ordinance which is the Installation of CCTV as a Requirement in the Establishment of a Business or Renewal of Business Permit; That the preservation of the CCTV recordings be upgraded from three months to six months, for review and reference purposes; that business establishments be required to employ Security Guards who will not only ensure the security of the business establishment by night but also during day time and the mobilization of Barangay Peacekeeping Team to help the PNP in the strict implementation of the ordinance in their respective barangays.
βThe PNP cannot do it alone. They need help to be able to implement this and maintain peace and order in the province", said BM Ortega, reiterating the important role that barangay leaders play.
The Provincial Government of La Union remains committed to uphold safety and security for all constituents in the Province which remains integral in attaining sustainable development towards the continuous building of a progressive and #StrongerLaUnion.
Related Photos:
