MANILA, Philippines - Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista signed a law prohibiting schoolchildren from entering computer and Internet shops during class hours, but students will be allowed to do research and school work in these establishments from 4 p.m. to 11.p.m.
Authored by Fourth District Councilor Raquel Malangen, computer shop personnel are also required to check the identification cards and class schedules of the students to ensure strict compliance with the provisions.
"Entry of minors to Internet cafes or computer rental shops must be regulated to prevent excessive playing of computer games especially during school hours, which, according to recent studies, has an adverse effect on the student's performance in school," Malangen said.
The newly-approved measure also prohibits Internet pornography and online gambling in all Internet cafes or computer rental shops operating in the city.
To remove access to all pornographic and online gambling sites, the city requires establishment owners to install filtering software and provide adequate standard lighting of the interior premises to allow a clearer outside view of the individual computer monitors.
The city government will be imposing penalties on erring establishment owners, ranging from P2,000 to P5,000 and possible suspension or revocation of business permits and license.
Any person performing any lewd or pornographic act in violation of Section 4 (a) of the ordinance shall be penalized by a fine of P3,000 without prejudice to the filing of appropriate action in court.
Meanwhile, erring students shall be subjected to proper disciplinary action with the incident report of the violation furnished to the office of the school principal.
