BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance requiring the installation of motion sensor alarms in addition to existing alarm systems in the vaults of all banks, pawnshops and similar establishments in the city and providing penalties for violations of the measure.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Leandro B. Yangot, Jr. stated that it will be policy of the local government to protect and safeguard the life, liberty, maintain peace and order, and work for the general welfare of its constituents through the implementation of various interventions to guarantee the same in existing legislations.
The ordinance added the among the business establishments that are required to install motion sensor alarms in their vaults in addition to their existing alarm systems include banks, financial institutions, pawnshops and other covered establishments such as high risk and crime vulnerable establishments which operate or handle extensive monetary transactions as a regular course of business or a daily average amount of more than P300,000.
In addition to the prescribed motion alarm system, all the aforesaid establishments shall be required to install, maintain, and operate a lighting system for illumination during hours of darkness in the area around the vault; time delay device to be installed in the cash vault or safe; tamper-resistant locks on exterior doors designed to be opened and such other devices appropriate for discouraging robberies and for assistance in the identification and apprehension of persons who commit alleged illegal acts.
Under the provisions of the ordinance, no business permit or permit to operate shall be issued or renewed by the local government for the business establishments covered under the local legislative measure unless the minimum coverage mentioned in the edict are installed and fully operational.
Moreover, a fine amounting to P5,000 shall be imposed to any establishment in operation found to have violated the provisions of the measure.
The ordinance stipulated that after 30 days from the initial findings of non-compliance, continue or subsequent failure to comply with the measure, the same shall constitute ground for the suspension, revocation or cancellation of the establishment’s business permit.
The Permits and Licensing Division under the City Mayor’s Office will be tasked to prepare the implementing rules and regulations of the ordinance while the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) and the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) will be tasked to assist in the implementation of the prescribed rules and regulations.
However, all establishments which have existing compliance alarm systems based on the requirements set under the pertinent rules and regulations issued by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas shall be exempted from the coverage of the local legislative measure but the owners are given a 3-year depreciation period of their previously purchased equivalent units of equipment before they will be required to comply with the minimum specifications under the said measure.
Yangot claimed there has been an alleged rise in the number of cases of break-in robberies where the vaults of banks as well as pawnshops were atrociously molested by drilling a hole underground to gain access and its contents emptied, thus, the need for the installation of additional units of equipment for sensors. By Dexter A. See
