THE Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Amended Children's Welfare Code mandates the stricter monitoring of children's exposure to commercial video games, internet games, and other electronic games.
The IRR provides for the creation of the Special Office for Children's Concern (SOCC) and part of its mandate is to promote children's protection rights, among others.
Section 5 of the IRR states that the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Business Bureau shall monitor commercial establishments or cafes offering internet services which allow the children to stay in their premises during school days from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and between 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. unless for specific educational or study purposes such as research, data gathering or statistical treatment duly assigned by a teacher or a tutor or any educational institution representative.
Violators of this specific provision shall suffer a penalty of a fine of P500 for the first offense, P1,000 for the second offense, P2,000 for the third offense, and/or revocation of the business permit or both as provided for by Sections 4.3, 9 and 10 of the Davao City Cafe ordinance.
Aside from the control on exposure to commercial video games, the IRR also mandates for the monitoring of establishments which promote, facilitate or conduct activities constituting child prostitution and other sexual abuse, child trafficking obscene publications, indecent shows and commercial video games, internet games and electronic games catering to children during school hours.
"The Special Office for Children's Concern (SOCC), in close coordination with Women and Children section of the PNP, the Barangay Councils for the Protection of Children (BCPCs), child-focused non-government organizations, and youth groups shall organize barangay level monitoring scheme among business establishments and recommend appropriated actions against establishments and individuals in case of violations thereof," the ordinance read.
Based on Section 4A of the IRR, establishments are mandated to post notices and information at entry or front desks regarding child protection. The SOCC in coordination with the Business Bureau shall require establishments to post such information or notices before their respective licenses shall be renewed or approved.
The SOCC, in close coordination with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, shall tap the participation of Department of Labor and Employment (Dole), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Air Transportation Office (ATO), Marina and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Aside from the provisions concerning internet use, the new IRR also provides against selling of cigarettes and tobacco products to children, monitoring of children traveling alone as part of the children's protection rights.
Separate provisions are also laid out for the participation rights of children.
The IRR for the Amended Children's Welfare Code was passed on third and final reading on the first week of March 2018.