Makati computer shops under fire for violating city ordinance

Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay yesterday vowed to crack the whip on online Internet gaming shops in Makati City which allow elementary and high school students in their premises during school hours.

Binay issued the stern warning to all computer shop owners after 11 students were caught playing computer games during school hours recently.

A report sent by Barangay Sta. Cruz Chairman Victor del Prado informed Binay that Bantay Bayan personnel caught 11 high school students in school uniforms playing online games at the RPG World Internet computer shop.

The students were apprehended and were held in custody for hours at the barangay hall and were released only after their parents and teachers had been notified.

Concerned school authorities, Del Prado said, were also advised to come up with an incident report which can be used against the owner of the Internet shop.

Binay reiterated his warning to all concerned business owners and operators to strictly comply with City Ordinance No. 2002-122, which bans grade school and high school students from entering any leisure and gaming establishments during school hours.

RPG World Internet, which is located at No. 1077-C Pasong Tamo, Barangay Sta. Cruz, is reportedly owned by Yang-ja Kim, a Korean national. Kim had been penalized and reprimanded twice already for failing to comply with the ordinance. RPG World Internet is now facing permanent closure, the penalty for third time offenders.

The ordinance was passed in 2002 to address serious concerns raised by parents and teachers on the increasing incidence of cutting classes, tardiness and absenteeism among grade school and high school students.

The local law, Binay noted, prohibits the owners or operators of all billiard halls, video shops, computer arcades, movie houses or malls located in the city from allowing grade school and high school students in school uniforms to enter their establishments.

The ordinance also provides that students may only be allowed entry in computer shops to do research and other academic-related activities, and in malls and movie houses if accompanied by a parent or guardian.

On the first offense, violators are given a warning and fined P1,000. For the second office, the penalty is P3,000. But for the third offense, the business permit of the establishment may be revoked, on top of the penalty of P5,000.