City intensifies drive vs erring internet shops

CEBU, Philippines - The Lapu-Lapu City government has intensified its campaign against internet cafes that violate existing ordinance which prohibits such establishments from accommodating students during class hours and giving them access to pornographic sites.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza has directed members of a task force whose main responsibility is to monitor operations of these internet cafes while the city embarks on a bolstered campaign against violators.

Aside from checking on their operations, Mayor Radaza has also directed the task force to include in their monitoring how these establishments comply with existing requirements of the Office of the Building Official.

Likewise, barangay officials and parents, through the Parents-Teachers Committee Association, have been also tapped in the city government's campaign against erring internet cafes.

More than 20 internet cafes operating within the city have been ordered closed since the ordinance was approved by the City Council in 2006.

The council approved said ordinance to regulate public internet cafes in the city then following the arrest of an American national whose home during raid conducted by the police was allegedly used to produce pornographic content for the internet.

Under City Ordinance No. 363-2006, no internet café operators shall allow admission of entry into its premises or the use of its facilities by any student/pupil during school days from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. unless the said student/pupil is accompanied by his/her parent or guardian.

The city ordinance says for the first offense, violators will be meted with suspension of business license for three months, six months for second offense and revocation of business license and closure of the establishment for the third. (FREEMAN)