Every January, thousands of businesses across the Philippines rush to city halls for their annual Business Permit renewals. And every year, countless applications are suspended at the very last step: the BPLO (Business Permit and Licensing Office) inspection. The culprit? Their CCTV cameras do not meet the minimum requirements outlined in DILG Memorandum Circular 2022-060.
The "No CCTV, No Business Permit" policy is no longer a loose recommendation—it is a strictly enforced national directive. Whether you own a massive supermarket, a local pawnshop, or a 24-hour convenience store, failing to comply with these technical specifications will halt your operations. Here is the definitive guide to ensuring your business security system passes inspection.
1. What is DILG MC 2022-060?
Issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Memorandum Circular 2022-060 directed all Local Government Units (Cities and Municipalities) to enact specific ordinances prescribing the installation of CCTV systems in commercial establishments. The primary goal is to aid the Philippine National Police (PNP) in crime deterrence, investigation, and resolution.
Prior to this memo, businesses could install cheap, fake, or low-resolution cameras just to check a box. The new circular explicitly standardizes the technical specifications of the cameras, ensuring that when the police need footage, the video is actually clear enough to identify a suspect's face or read a getaway vehicle's license plate.
2. Which Businesses Are Required to Comply?
While local city ordinances may expand this list, the DILG mandate specifically targets establishments that handle significant amounts of money or face high public traffic. These include:
- Financial Institutions: Banks, pawnshops, money remittance centers, and money changers.
- Retail Establishments: Supermarkets, shopping malls, grocery stores, and 24-hour convenience stores.
- Medical Facilities: Hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic centers.
- Entertainment & Hospitality: Bars, restaurants, hotels, and resorts.
- Transportation Hubs: Bus terminals, PUV transport hubs, and parking lots.
- High-Risk Businesses: Gas stations, hardware stores, and gun clubs.
Note for Sari-Sari Stores: Small micro-enterprises are generally exempt from the national mandate, but you must check your specific local City Ordinance. Highly urbanized cities (like Quezon City or Makati) may have lower thresholds requiring even small sari-sari stores on main roads to install at least one street-facing camera.
3. The Mandatory Technical Specifications
This is where businesses fail their inspections. BPLO inspectors are trained to check the specifications of your DVR/NVR and cameras. To pass, your system MUST meet the following minimums:
A. Camera Resolution: Minimum 2 Megapixels
Analog 720p cameras are no longer acceptable. The minimum legal standard is 2 Megapixels (1080p resolution). This ensures that the recorded image has enough pixel density to zoom in on a suspect's face without blurring into pixelated squares. For cash registers and entry doors, many businesses are upgrading to 4MP cameras to guarantee compliance and better security.
B. Frame Rate: Minimum 30 FPS
Cameras must capture video at a minimum of 30 Frames Per Second (FPS). Lower frame rates create choppy, stop-motion footage where critical fast-moving details (like a sleight-of-hand theft or a speeding motorcycle) might be missed between frames.
C. Storage Retention: Continuous 24/7 Recording
Consumer Wi-Fi cameras that only record 10-second clips when motion is detected do not comply. The system must be capable of continuous 24/7 recording. Furthermore, the storage drive (HDD) must be large enough to retain footage for a sufficient period before overwriting. While the DILG memo does not strictly specify the exact number of days, most local ordinances require a minimum retention of 30 days. This requires a dedicated NVR/DVR system with at least 1TB to 2TB of storage.
D. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
Brownouts are common in the Philippines. The DILG requires CCTV systems to be connected to an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) or backup battery to ensure the cameras continue recording during power outages or if criminals intentionally cut the building's main power line.
E. Time and Date Stamping
The footage must have a synchronized, embedded timestamp. Without a verified time and date, the footage cannot be legally used as evidence in a Philippine court.
4. Mandatory Camera Placements
You cannot just point a camera at the wall to pass inspection. The DILG requires specific coverage areas:
| Location | Objective |
|---|---|
| Main Entrances & Exits | Clear, unobstructed capture of the face of every person entering and leaving the establishment. |
| Cash Registers / POS | Close-up view of money transactions and the cashier's hands. |
| Street Frontage | Covering the street immediately outside the establishment to capture getaway vehicles. |
| Blind Spots | Corridors leading to restrooms or stockrooms where shoplifters typically hide items. |
5. Data Privacy Act (RA 10173) Considerations
Installing CCTV cameras fulfills the DILG mandate, but it triggers your responsibilities under the Data Privacy Act (RA 10173). As a business owner, you are collecting personal data (video of people's faces). You must:
- Post Signage: Clearly visible signs stating "CCTV IN OPERATION" must be placed at all entrances.
- No Audio Recording: Unless explicitly disclosed, recording audio in public spaces violates the Anti-Wiretapping Law. Stick to video.
- Secure the Footage: The NVR/DVR must be kept in a locked cabinet or room. Footage cannot be uploaded to Facebook or TikTok—it must only be turned over to the PNP with a formal written request or court order.
6. Recommended Compliant Systems
To avoid the stress of a failed BPLO inspection, we recommend installing hardwired NVR systems that exceed the DILG minimum requirements.