Tuesday, October 21, 2008 City's net cafes use pirated software By Joy Romares-Sevilla
THE president of the Internet Cafe Association of Davao Inc. (Icad) revealed Monday challenges that continuously pound the industry.
Yvonne Cabada, Icad president, told the media at the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City that there are a lot of internet cafes in the city that are still using pirated software.
"We are advocating that Internet cafes should have proper licensing. We do weekly inspection with the Business Bureau and the Icad and a lot of these Net cafes have been suspended and were penalized," Cabada said.
She failed, however, to reveal as to how many Internet cafes have been suspended by the Business Bureau this year.
She also said the opening of several Internet cafes even in subdivisions has caused the market to shrink.
In Davao City, out of the more than 450 Internet cafes, 99 percent are micro cafes, she said.
"Some Internet cafes are having predatory pricing, they offer P10 to P15 per hour. Some are even offering P5. Last year, we imposed a floor price of P20 per hour, but it was not successful," Cabada said.
She disclosed that Icad now has 70 members.
"The membership is voluntary, we do not force them to be members. Still, a lot would not want to be members, precisely they do not want to follow the ordinance," Cabada said.
One of the provisions in the ordinance is for Internet cafes to be opened -- meaning a cubicle per unit is discouraged.
Aside from this, she said there are also a lot of rules the internet shall follow.
"If it will be violated, sanctions will be imposed," she said.
Cabada also announced that Icad, in cooperation with the Internet Cafe Accreditation Board (Icab), will spearhead an Internet summit on November 14 at the City Council in Davao City.
She said the summit is specifically designed for parents, students, and businessmen who are operating Internet cafes.
"The topics to be tackled in the summit are how Internet affects children and women, how it affects education, and lastly, how it affects business," Cabada said.
The summit, Cabada said, aims to further educate women, children, parents, and businessmen about the advantages and disadvantages of Internet.
The summit will also be a venue to raise and hear concerns from parents about their children who are tangled with Internet, especially online gaming.
