By LITO RULONA,
Correspondent
At least four city council committees are combining their efforts to jointly look into the rampant online game operations in the city after the Women’s and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) of the Cagayan de Oro Police Office (Cocpo) conducted a rescue operation recently.
City Councilor Reuben Daba, chairman of the Committee on Social Services reported that an online game, Dota, has reportedly proliferated in the city which he alleges has brought bad influence to the youth in the cty and must be regulated.
“(It’s a) bad influence because a girl from Libona, Bukidnon reportedly refused to go home for several days after being influenced in online games like Dota along with other minors. The minors were reportedly earning from playing Dota that’s the reason they can hang out and enjoy because they have money to spend. What is alarming is that it is an online gam nga makadaut sa ilang pag-eskwela,” Daba said.
He added the alleged online games also influence the minors into online gambling.
As chairman of the social services, Daba said he summoned internet owners and its club to shed light on how to handle such bad influence game for the minors.
Aside from his committee, he said committees on education, on women and family relations, and on barangay affairs respectively chaired by Suzette Magtajas-Daba, Edna Dahino, and Yan Lam Lim would attend the initial investigation in aid of legislation.
Daba said aside from discussion on online games, the committee is set to discuss other issues like the liquor issue and internet shops who allow minors to play during school hours.
For his part, Councilor Teodulfo Lao Jr. suggested that the matter be referred to the Regulatory and Complaint Board (RCB) to regulate it.
“Dili gyud ta kahibalo ana. This issue can be passed on to the RCB who regulate cyber technology. RCB can call all the internet operators to give them an ultimatum to attend the issue,” he said.
He added that most of the time, the minors are hooked and addicted to the online games.
As vice chair of the RCB, Councilor Romeo Calizo said the board already scheduled meetings this month for the strict implementation of the law on the operation of internet cafés.
“Our colleagues and the public are well assured that we are in the process of conceptualizing on how we can strictly implement the law. This issue had been taking up by the board but we have a problem on the enforcement side,” Calizo stressed.
On the other hand, Councilor Nadya Emano-Elipe proposed that the attention of parents and schools also be called. She said most of those addicted to online games are students.
“Call the attention of the schools nga unta ang mga students dili makagawas kun dili pa oras sa dismissal,” she said.
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