By Meryl Rabuya, Davao Today Intern
DAVAO CITY – Davao City first district councilor Joanne Bonguyan is pushing for the inclusion of arcade game houses in the scope of the Internet Café Ordinance.
In a privilege speech Tuesday, Bonguyan said that “a lot of minor students usually skip their classes in favor of playing online games and arcade games.”
“In our new approved ordinance we are very strict in not allowing the entry of the students during prescribed school hours,” Bonguyan said.
“But my question is why are we not strict in allowing our minors in entering game arcades during school hours?”
Bonguyan who chairs the committee on information and communication technology said that the revised ordinance would protect women and children from rampant Internet gambling as well as access to Internet pornography.
On January 20 the City Council approved on third reading the amended internet cafe ordinance.
Included in the amendments are: the number of hours that a minor be allowed access to internet; accreditation fee worth P10 per computer unit; weekly monitoring of all internet cafes; and the participation of barangay captains in the implementation of the policy.
Bonguyan also recommended that a study be conducted to limit the entry of minor students in arcade game houses.
The City Council has recognized the motion to move the said Ordinance for the first reading. (davaotoday.com)
