Mandaue familiarizes students of their rights

CEBU, Philippines - At a forum the other day, students and the out-of-school youth in Mandaue City were informed of their rights and familiarized with city ordinances that protect them and reminded of other laws they have to follow.

The gathering was one of the activities initiated by the Mandaue City Council For the Protection of Children in line with the celebration of Children's Month.

Lawyer Jamaal Calipayan, the executive secretary of Mayor Jonas Cortes, said also present were representatives from the Muslim community, and internet café owners and operators.

Everybody was informed of all the ordinances that were approved from 2007 during the first term of Cortes which dwell on the laws and protection of the children.

Among the ordinances that were discussed was the city's children code ordinance, the anti-littering ordinance, and newly amended ordinance regarding the operations of internet cafes which was approved last June.

Since the proliferation of internet cafes has worried parents, the internet ordinance was given more emphasis.

Among the provisions in the newly amended ordinance are: internet cafes should at least be 50 meters away from the school, prohibited to construct any private cubicles, no opening of pornographic sites, notices about prohibiting students and children to play internet games during the school hours should be posted.

Students may be allowed to enter the cafes during school hours only for academic purposes.

Before they are allowed to use the internet, they should first secure a written permission signed both by their adviser and principal.

The participants were also told that violation of the provisions of the internet ordinance has penalties.  (FREEMAN)