Computer shops in mine town regulated

ITOGON, Benguet -- Operators of computer shops here have to be on guard of their student-clients following approval of an ordinance regulating operations of the business in this mining town.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan last week approved on second on final reading am Itogon town ordinance regulating operations of computer shops.

The measure was drafted to regulate computer games as it was observed, students oftentimes hang around computer shops to play games even during school hours rather than surf for educational stuff to enrich their knowledge.

The crafting of the regulatory measure was also due to the clamor of parents of elementary and high school whose children may have been addicted to games in computer shops.

From now on students below 18 years old will be allowed to play games but they cannot play during regular class hours and beyond 7 p.m.

The ordinance stated notices of the new rule should be printed in four inch letterings visible enough in a conspicuous area within the computer shop.

For violation of the ordinance, operators and owners of computer shops would be fined P1,500 for the first offense with suspension of operation for 30 days.

For second offense, a P2,000 fine would be imposed and operation closed for 60 days.
For the third, a P2,500 fine was set with permanent closure. -- Susan C. Aro