TALISAY City authorities raided seven Internet cafés for lack of operational permits and other business-related violations in Barangay Tabunok last Friday.
Headed by City Administrator Richel Bacaltos, a combined team of City Hall officials and local police conducted the raid amid persistent complaints that the establishments have been allowing young students to play during class hours.
Concerned parents sought City Hall’s assistance as their children have reportedly been skipping classes and hanging out instead at Internet cafés.
The bulk of the clients of these establishments are reportedly school children who regularly play computer games, surf and chat with their acquaintances on the Net.
Bacaltos, a former City Council member and majority floor leader, sponsored an ordinance regulating the operations of Internet cafés in Talisay City.
The measure strictly prohibits students from surfing or playing the Net, entering billiard halls, movie houses and other amusement clubs during classes.
In last Friday’s lightning raid, the team found that some of the Internet cafés in Tabunok, the city’s central business district, have no business permits.
These establishments have private rooms but no emergency exits, which are considered extremely dangerous to their clients during fire incidents.
Lawmen also caught in the act several students playing computer or Internet games during the raid.
Bacaltos said that City Hall will impose a P1,000 fine on the erring Internet cafés and padlock those that have no business permits.
Joining the raid were officials of the City Social Welfare Office, City Legal Office, Talisay City Schools Division and Tabunok Barangay Hall. (GC)
