Marikina ban students, minors in net cafés during school hours

Tuesday 24th of July 2012

MARIKINA CITY, July 24 (PIA) -- Students and minors are now banned in internet cafés in Marikina City during school hours.

Marikina Mayor Del de Guzman reminded all internet café and computer rental shop owners to religiously exercise their authority and rights in prohibiting students and minors renting their computer units during school hours in accordance with City Ordinance No. 44, series of 2006.

"Since classes have started already last month, we have reminded all computer rental shop owners that the city government has been conducting inspections in computer rental shops since the passage of our ordinance. This is done to avoid students cutting classes just to play computer games or visit social networking sites," de Guzman said.

The said ordinance regulates the establishment and operation of internet cafés and computer rental shops/computer gaming shops in the city.

It states that students and minors who visit said establishments should be prohibited from playing computer games especially during school hours that can adversely affect their performance in school.

Meanwhile, de Guzman also reminded computer rental shop owners about the prohibited activities stated in the said ordinance like visiting sexual and pornographic sites, use or trade of illegal drugs, liquor, and cigarettes and gambling.

Establishments are also required to place signboards in their shop stating, "Internet pornography and on-line gambling are prohibited!”

Any student of minor age who enters internet cafes or computer rental shops must present an identification card and class schedule issued by his or her school's registrar’s office.

Minors are also not allowed to enter the establishments during curfew hours, 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. of the following day.

Regular inspections are being conducted by the city government to ensure that students are not loitering in computer shops during school hours.

An inspection team composed of representatives from the city's business permit and licensing office, office of public safety and security, Department of Education-Marikina, Bantay Bayan and barangay employees will roam around the city to ensure effective implementation of the said ordinance.

Owners, proprietors and managers of internet cafes, computer rental or computer gaming shops will be penalized with a fine of P5,000 for every violation committed. (MARIKINA-PIO/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)