Letter to the editor: RCB is pro-regulation

THIS refers to the letter of one Hegel Roy Waga, allegedly a student of Liceo de Cagayan University, complaining “about the policy of not allowing minors at internet cafes during school days.” The said letter was published in your paper on 10 December 2018.

Please be informed that the Regulatory and Complaint Board welcomes the complaint of Mr. Waga as it will afford the RCB the opportunity to again clarify matters pertaining to our operation in Internet and piso net shops in the City. Needless to state, the RCB nor the City Government is not anti-business but pro-regulation and pro-protection of children.

The concerns of Mr. Waga will be addressed by Section 28 of City Ordinance No. 13394-2018 or the Cagayan de Oro City Comprehensive Children’s Welfare Code which provides that owners of internet café and commercial video centers shall share the responsibility of promoting the best interest of children.

The same section provides that “it shall be unlawful for owners, operators or persons in charge of internet cafes, video game centers x xx and similar establishments to allow minors to play computer or video games inside their establishments from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. during school days”.

Notwithstanding the prohibition, minors maybe allowed to play computer games inside the said establishments provided they can present a Consent Card duly signed by both their parents and the school principal.

Please note that the Regulatory and Complaint Board is merely implementing these provisions of the city ordinance to help protect minor children from possible ill-effects of video and computer games.

Conversely however, minors may be allowed to use computer units in internet shops during school days pursuant to school-authorized research or activity for educational purposes and a school clearance or permit signed by the principal or teacher concerned is presented to the internet shop operator.

Please note however that in all cases, internet shop operators are prohibited from allowing children to access pornographic sites, among other prohibitions.

Again, thanks to Mr. Waga for giving the RCB the opportunity to clarify issues relative to the continuing implementation of the above-mentioned city ordinance.

Atty. Jose Edgardo Y. Uy

RCB Chairperson

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