- Advertisement -

Egay Uy .

THE message is clear. Those who are engaged in the business of operating Internet shops also have the obligation to safeguard the welfare of the minors and to avoid means of corrupting their moral values.  It should not be purely business.

- Advertisement -

There are a number of city ordinances that regulate the establishment, operation and maintenance of “Internet cafes and computer stations” or Internet shops in the city.  All these ordinances contain provisions that penalize operators for non-compliance.

These ordinances acknowledge that internet shops “are very much helpful to students, researchers, teachers, policy makers, economists and even to ordinary citizens who want to access information in the Internet.”

On the other hand, these ordinances also acknowledge the harm that the internet could cause to students and minors if operation of Internet shops is not regulated, in that “notwithstanding the benefits of Internet, the presence and accessibility of (pornographic materials and violent games in) websites exposes minors to immoral and violent information.”

These ordinances also take note that “students who are addicted to these materials would likewise cut classes and spend their allowances” on the same.

For these and other related reasons, the city council had embedded regulatory provisions in the ordinances that must be complied with by computer stations otherwise the penal provisions would come into play.

Ordinance no. 7018-1999 provides: “No Internet Café, Computer Station and similar establishments offering Internet services shall be allowed to operate in the City without installing a computer blocking program that would prevent access to websites offering pornographic information or materials and violent games.”

Ordinance No. 7820-2001 provides: “It shall be unlawful for owners or persons in charge of Internet Cafes, Video Games Center and similar establishments to allow minors to play computer or video games inside their establishments from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm during school days.”

This was however amended in 2002 by Ordinance no. 8099-2002 providing for an exemption that minors may be allowed during these hours if “… they can present a consent card duly signed by both their parents and school principal.” And the operators of computer stations are duty-bound to provide these cards for free and to validate the information and authenticate the signatures contained in the cards.

Ordinance no. 8953-2003 prohibits operators of Internet shops “to set up or construct or offer to Internet users, private room/s inside their establishments whether or not equipped or provided with computers or web cameras” except rooms with walls and doors made of clear transparent glass which must not be covered with blinds or curtains.

These ordinances provide for penalties for violations, ranging from administrative fines to suspension or closure of business to imprisonment.  And in order to add more teeth to the ordinances, the RCB is contemplating proposing to the city council increasing the penalties for initial and repeated violations. The message is clear.

Disclaimer

Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.

- Advertisement -