Where are the Si-Qs guarding ATMs?
THE commercial banks in the city got a rude reminder from City Councilor Jose Netu Tamayo after noting that all the banks have not complied with City Ordinance No. 2013-2014 that requires them to post their own security guards where their automated teller machines (ATM) are situated on a 24/7 basis.
“Where are they?” he asked in his privilege speech on Tuesday during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Tamayo, who authored the ordinance, noted that not a single bank has been seen to comply with the ordinance that took effect last September 2014. “It’s been four months since the effectivity of the ordinance and the banks have yet to comply with the mandate of the ordinance,” he said.
He cited Section 7 paragraph 2 of the ordinance requires all banks that offer ATM services within its premises to its clienteles to employ security guards to ensure round-the-clock safety and protection of anyone who uses the ATM.
“I have moved around the city the past few days and I have observed that none of the banks in the city have complied with the particular provision of the law,” Tamayo said.
He reminded the banks that failure of banks to comply by employing security guards within 30 days from the date of effectivity of the ordinance, shall be ground for the withdrawal of their business permits.
But on the posting of security guard, the requirement is immediate,” said Tamayo, a lawyer.
“Further, that no business permit shall be renewed or be issued in favor of a bank offering ATM services unless and until compliance with the requirement on employment of security guards on a 24-hour basis is observed,” the councilor warned citing the penalty for violating the ordinance.
Tamayo asked sanggunian secretary Ryan Ravanzo to coordinate with the office of the city mayor for the distribution of copies of the ordinance to all the banks operating in the city for their reference.
He also warned all banks on their failure to install Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras inside and outside their establishments. This is mandated by the same ordinance but banks were given 120 days to comply.(Leonardo Micua)
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