Mandaue execs to probe Internet café operations

CEBU - Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes and Vice Mayor Carlo Pontico Fortuna have agreed to address the concerns of parents and school officials regarding the increasing number of Internet cafés that attract students who miss school.

Cortes said he will call for a meeting with different law enforcement agencies to discuss the problems with the officials of the Department of Education. He said while the Internet plays an important role in education it can also cause big problems for parents.

Fortuna said he observed some children playing games in Internet cafés at night.

"Mahitabo aning mga bataa magduka ug dili ba gani mangatulog nalang kini sa ilang klase," he said.

During a meeting called by the committee on education headed by councilor Noelen Borbajo, school principals aired their concerns over their students.

Mandaue City Comprehensive National High School principal Reina Perez said one student failed to report to his classes for almost two weeks. When they summoned the parents of the students the parents said they thought their son reported to school everyday.

They later found out the boy went directly to Internet café and spent all day there.

"Mura lang gihapon siya nag eskuyla, kay mouli man sad pagka hapon sa ilang balay," she said.

Borbajo promised her committee will look into the problem.

But Internet café operators defended their operations, saying some students who go there actually conduct research. A study showed that 80 in Internet cafés play games while only 20 percent conduct research.

While the city council has passed an ordinance regulating the operation of Internet cafés, Borbajo admitted they have trouble enforcing this.

Section 4 of the ordinance approved by the city council last November 20, 2001 states that no minor schoolchildren shall be allowed to enter and use any Internet shop, café, restaurants and the like, or any commercial establishment with computers games to its customers for free, during schools hours of a given school day.

However, this prohibition does not extend beyond 5 p.m., the regular dismissal time for elementary and secondary schools.

However, an amendment introduced by the city council on August 20, 2002, states that no minor shall be allowed to use the Internet for recreation, amusements and entertainment.

This prohibition, however, shall not include research, educational and either academic-related activities using the computer as media.

Internet café operators who violate the ordinance shall be given a warning for the first offense, the second offense will fetch a fine of P2,000 and another warning while the third offense merits a fine of P3,000 and closure of the establishment. – Jose P. Sollano/BRP (THE FREEMAN)