Bulacan Rep. Gavini Pancho of the National Unity Party (NUP) said the use of mobile phones, radio transmitters and similar electronic devices inside banks should be banned to help curb crime.

He has filed  House Bill 5033 to make it legal for banks to ban the use of cell phones inside their premises.

Pancho pointed out that while  some banks have already been asking its clients to refrain from using  cellular phones inside their branch offices,   this security measure has not yet been backed up with legislation.

“The use of cell phones, laptops, palmtops, radio transmitters, and similar equipment has been exploited for illicit activities,” Pancho noted.

Under Pancho’s  bill, clients and other persons using their mobile phones or similar devices will not be allowed inside banking premises

If already inside the bank, they will be ordered to leave the premises should the need to use their phones arises, Pancho said. 

His proposal not only applies to clients inside banks, but to employees as well.

“Banking staff that will be observed using their cellular phones within the area of the bank in public view during official working hours must be immediately reported to the manager and security guard on duty for appropriate action of the banking management,” the bill read.

The bill, however,  states that  bank employees may use their phones during lunch hours or other breaks, as well as in a private place away from clients.

 “Only doctors and emergency healthcare practitioners will be allowed to use their phones in the banks as long as the use of it is related to his or her duties,” the bill further states.

Under HB 5033, violators will be fined a maximum of P1,000 and detained in a nearby detention facility of the barangay or police station that has jurisdiction over the banking establishment where the violation took place.

Banks will be penalized as well with fines of up to  P2,000 if they violate the proposed law,  including their failure to compel their employees to abide by its provisions.