SecurityMatters magazine, in cooperation with Accommodation Establishment Security and Safety Coordinating Council, Inc (AESSCCI) Cebu Chapter and Philippine Society for Industrial Security Region 7 Chapter (PSIS7), successfully concluded the Cebu leg of its first ever CCTV Video Surveillance Course training last September 17-20 at the Sacred Heart Convention Center in Cebu City.
Cebu became the first province in the Philippines with the most number of CCTV video surveillance operators, supervisors, and managers who underwent courses under the auspices of SecurityMatters and its two partner organizations.
“The info I got from seating in for a couple of minutes, was impressive enough that it really made me kick myself for not taking time to attend the courses,” said Bingen Mendezona, VP Security Head of Aboitiz Equity Ventures. Mendezona made this comment after he took time out from his busy schedule to check on the subject matters that the guys he sent to attend the event are learning.
The first batch of participants, composed of operators in the tourism and hospitality industry, attended the course specifically tailored for them last Sept.17. The event was supported by the Region 7 Chapter of the Accommodation Establishment Security and Safety Coordinating Council, Inc (AESSCCI). Nick Juezan, Chief Security Officer of Marco Polo Plaza Hotel and Chapter president of AESSCCI7, considers the event a landmark and breakthrough in the specialized field of hotel security.
Two other course batches for operators were conducted. This time, in partnership with Philippine Society for Industrial Security Region 7 Chapter (PSIS7) to provide instructions in the context of the industrial sectors – research & development facilities, export processing zones, big shopping malls, and manufacturing plants.
Cebu Site Security Manager of Lexmark Research & Development, Mr. Marlon Mesina, CSP, praised the participants for availing of the first formal education on video surveillance in the country.
The four-day event was highlighted by the management course that was attended by 42 supervisors and managers from 21 companies. AESSCCI7 and PSIS7 jointly hosted the course for those in charge of CCTV systems of various companies.
Ace Esmeralda, CPP, the lead instructor of the Cebu Edition, focused on the crucial privacy aspects of CCTV systems based on the legal provisions of applicable national laws, ordinances of several cities, and pending house and senate bills on CCTV. Esmeralda pointed out that he learned from his students that even the vendors and installers of the CCTV system they are using failed to teach them the basic and pertinent technical aspect of their equipment and operations. Esmeralda was glad he was able to impart the necessary technical operational techniques to the attendees.
Everyone who completed the course commented that they learned more about CCTV operations and the high expectations of stakeholders on CCTV operators and managers than all their experiences combined.
Frederick Ygnacio, CSP, a manager at Century Properties, commented that he and his classmates gained not only the necessary technical terms and specifications but also legal, security, and ethical insights on video surveillance operations.
The CCTV 202 Video Surveillance courses were made possible through the sponsorship of Securiforce Security Services, Inc.
Ace And Associates, Inc. culled the contents of the lectures from the inputs of Atty. Paul Yusi and Alvin Matabang, CSP, PFSO, ASIS International – Philippines Chapter Chairman and Auditor, respectively.
