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House oks bill to boost private security industry MANILA, Jan 2 (Mabuhay) – The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a bill which seeks to strengthen the private security industry in the country. House Bill 6737 aims to professionalize the private security industry by strengthening the requirements for training and professional certification of security practitioners. It also seeks to improve the efficiency of the security industry by making more efficient bureaucratic processes with respect to licensing, operation and regulation of private security agencies. Another objective of the measure is to make the Private Security Agency Act more responsive to the needs of private security agencies as well as that of the society. Under the bill, private security industry refers to those engaged in the legitimate business of providing private security and detective, security training, K9 security and VIP protection services; and those in the management and administration of company guard forces. The measure requires certain qualifications from those who wish to apply for a license to practice the private security profession and engage in the occupation, calling or employment after complying with academic, scholastic, skills and training requirements. These basic requirements include being a Filipino citizen; at least 18 years of age; must have taken a private security course or seminar and must have adequate training; of good moral character and must not have been convicted of any crime or
offense involving moral turpitude; and has passed the neuro-psychiatric test and drug test administered by any governmentaccredited neuro-psychiatric testing center, among others. The bill provides for the qualifications of a private security guard, security consultant, private detective and protection agent and safeguards against private armies. The bill also designates the Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), in consultation with various stakeholders, to determine the minimum capital requirement and minimum bank deposit required to operate private security agencies. The proposal also requires that a Philippine private security agency shall be 100 percent Filipino-owned. The authors of the bill are Reps. Emmeline Y. Aglipay (Party-list, Diwa), Angelo Palmones (Party-list, Agham), Catalina C. Bagasina (Party-list, ALE ), Pablo John F. Garcia (3rd District, Cebu), Rodolfo W. Antonino (4th District, Nueva Ecija), Romeo M. Acop (2nd District, Antipolo City), Juan Miguel “Mikey” Macapagal-Arroyo (Party-list, AGP), Leopoldo N. Bataoil (2nd District, Pangasinan), Roilo Golez (2nd District, Paranaque City), Loreto Leo S. Ocampos (2nd District, Misamis Occidental), Nasser C. Pangandaman (Party-list, AA Kasosyo), Maximo B. Rodriguez Jr. (Party-list, Abante Mindanao), Jesus N. Sacdalan (1st District, North Cotabato), and Susan Yap (2nd District, Tarlac). (MNS)oa
The Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce of Southeast Corridor (FACC-SEC) recently held its inaugural board meeting at the office of its founding President Felix B. Lopez at the City of Cerritos. Shown from left seated are: Eduardo V. Bolos of Christina’s Uniforms Co., Jose Lacson of Lacson’s Veterinary Services, Felix B. Lopez of Pinoy General Services, Dan E. Nino of Summit Business Counselors/Network Advertising & Promotions and Gilbert Castillo of Special Education Services. Standing from: Willie Baello of Willy Baello Realty/ Cerritos Video, Atty. Jaime G. Monteclaro of Monteclaro Law Firm, Lydia F. Soriano of MSM Services, Inc., Virgil Sy of American Ranch and Eddie C. Ferrer of E.C. Ferrer Custom House Broker, Inc. Not in photo was Joe Iglesias. During this meeting, committee chairmanships were also distributed including Membership, Membership Benefits and Services, Government Affairs, Marketing, Public Relations, Fundraising, Events, Finance and Community Services. The primary mission of FACC-SEC is to promote and enhance the business interest of the Filipino-American business entrepreneurs and owners in the Southeast region of California. The next meeting will be held on Jan. 8 at 6:00 p.m. at the Bautista-Oriel Dental Office in Artesia. Business owners who are interested to join FACC-SEC are enjoined to call Felix B. Lopez at 562-402-1737/fblopezinsurance@msn.com or Dan E. Nino 562-921-5116/denino@ verizon.net – Photo by Doris Iglesias