FOLLOWING a series of inspections, the Regulatory and Complaint Board (RCB) plans to ask the city council to enact an ordinance that would regulate the operation of movie houses in Cagayan de Oro City.
RCB chairperson lawyer Edgardo Uy said movie houses are left unnoticed and has grown over the years.
Uy said before giving these establishments business permits, the city must ensure first that specific regulations are imposed.
During its inspection, the RCB took notice of the absence of closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs), rooms are enclosed, and owners do not monitor their customers.
As a result, he said movie houses, considered as a public place, are now a favorite location of lovers who might engage in sexual activity.
Uy said the city has an existing ordinance for traditional movie houses, but not for the modern type.
“Kadto nga ordinance intended for movie houses sa una nga mga sikat (the old ordinance was intended for the big establishments). Ang (the) regulation lang (was only) for instance is dapat naay (to have a) water fountain where moviegoers can drink water, ug uban pa (among others). But our movie houses now are different kay kwarto na gyud (because these are now basically private rooms), we still don’t have any regulations for this,” he said.
He said the new ordinance should include provisions of the Republic Act 7610 otherwise known as Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.