A measure that recently lapsed into law envisions to strengthen the private security service industry and provide enhanced protection to the rights of its personnel. The Private Security Services Industry Act is seen to bolster the regulation of the private security services industry making it responsive to the growth of the industry and demands of global-certifying bodies.
It also aims to improve the protection of Filipino security guards by providing necessary training through the development of ladderized programs and education, including basic security guard courses, specialized security guard courses, security officers training courses, detective training courses, and candidate protection agent courses.
Under the law, private security professionals must be a Filipino citizen of legal age, physically and mentally fit, of good moral character and must not have been convicted of any crime for them to be granted the license to exercise private security profession (LESP) which will be valid for five years.
The law also ensures that private security agencies shall be 100 percent-owned and controlled by Filipinos. It repeals the 52-year-old Republic Act No. 5487 or the Private Security Agency Law.
