THE proposed ordinance in La Trinidad regulating the operation of computer rental shop including the entry of minors drew mixed reactions during the recent public consultations.
Councilor Roderick Awingan, who introduced the proposed measure said there is a need to provide regulatory ordinance for the operation of computer and internet establishments and protect the public from the deleterious effects of addiction and overexposure to the technology.
The proposed ordinance indicate that minors are only allowed from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. only on any day and are required to further submit an authorization letter from their parent for special arrangement outside the provided schedule for minors.
Recel Ambacan, president of the La Trinidad computer shop organization, expressed computer shop owners’ plea to possibly exempt Saturday, Sunday and holiday for minors to avail computer rental services.
As the group agree on some of the provisions, it was observed since the first consultation, parties failed to comply to Section 4 c.1 which says minors are allowed to avail of the computer rental services on any establishment from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. only on any day.
Ambacan added they will support the ordinance until both parties agreed on the proposed ordinance.
The newly formed group has more than 200 members and urged other computer shop owners to join as they are included as one of the enforcing body to ensure compliance in the provisions of the ordinance.
During the fourth public consultation, one computer shop owner mentioned support for the move however urged the lawmakers to consider the time and ask for Saturday, Sunday and Holidays to allow minors at any given time.
A fifth public consultation is eyed for the proposed ordinance.
“We will probably conduct another public consultation to hear all that was not yet heard during the previous consultation considering the categories of minors. Minors who are in senior high level can be exempted and avail for the computer services. We will further look into this and other activities to prevent overindulgence of minors to computer games,” added Awingan.
Awingan added they will also include guidelines on e-gaming particularly to minors.
The lawmaker said the allotted window time for minors was further based and indicated in the Gender and Development Code of 2015 of the municipality.
Sec. 108 of the code orders all computer shops, internet cafes and similar establishments to allow minors of using the computer for not more than two hours in one day.
Councilor Henry Kipas suggested the computer shop owners through a position paper on their suggestions.
Last year, the business and licensing office of La Trinidad reported more than 300 computer shops were established.