Ban Students in Internet Shops

NAVOTAS Mayorto ban students in Internet shops

NAVOTAS Mayor Toby Tiangco yesterday reminded the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO), Task Force Disiplina (TDF) and barangay officials in the city to continue enforcing the ordinance that bans grade school and high school students from entering any leisure and gaming establishments during school hours.

Tiangco also reiterated his warning to all owners and operators of Internet shops in Navotas to strictly comply with the ordinance, or else face stiff penalties, which include fines and revocation of business permits. He said they should cooperate for the benefit and protection of the students.

“Our city, school and barangay officials, even the parents of schoolchildren, need to remain vigilant to ensure strict enforcement of these regulations that aim to deter unscrupulous owners or operators from tolerating malingerer students for the sake of profit,” Tiangco said.

Enacted in September 2001, Municipal Ordinance No. 2001-03 prohibits the owners or operators of all video/computer arcades/shops in the city from allowing grade school and high school students in school uniforms to enter their establishments.

Tiangco had asked the council to pass the ordinance to address serious concerns raised by parents and teachers over the increasing incidence of cutting classes, tardiness and absenteeism among grade and high school students due to hanging out at Internet/video, arcades, and computer shops during school hours.

Recently, the said ordinance was given more teeth with the Mayor’s Executive Order, “Directing all computer shops operating within the jurisdiction of Navotas City to maintain a see- through front walls and doors of their respective establishments,” to give a clear view of all the activities inside their establishments.

Under the said order, violators of this provision or any of its other provisions face the following penalties: First offense, a fine of P1,000; Second offense, a fine of P2,000; and Third offense, a fine of P2,500 and the automatic cancellation or revocation of business permits or licenses.