Naval town crafts local law on internet operations

By Rodrigo S. Victoria

NAVAL, Biliran, The pressing concern on truancy among students who cut classes and pass time in internet cafe will now be put to end as a local legislation was crafted prescribing the rules and regulations in the establishment and operation of internet café in this town.

Naval Sangguniang Bayan (SB) member Gabino S. Velasquez IV, the principal sponsor of the draft ordinance entitled “The New Internet Ordinance of Naval 2012” says this local law will help solve the problem on truancy especially among the elementary and high school students hooked on computer games.

The first public hearing on the draft ordinance was held at the SB Session Hall on Wednesday with the presidents of the Parents Teachers Association, (PTA) of the elementary and secondary schools in Naval and the district supervisors of the Naval north and south districts, parents, SB members including the chief of police in attendance.

One of the provisions of the ordinance is to prohibit all elementary and high school students including out-of-school youths to enter internet cafés from 7 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. except on weekends and holidays.

However, they are allowed to enter internet cafés on the prohibited hours only for specific educational or study purposes such as research, data gathering or statistical treatment with a note and permission from the teacher and approval from the principal or from the officer-in-charge in the absence of the principal.

One of the salient features of the draft ordinance includes the creation of the internet café regulatory board composed of the municipal treasurer as chairman and the municipal social welfare officer, PNP women’s desk personnel as members with the addition of the president of the Association of Barangay Captains and the PTA federation president of the north and south districts as suggested to monitor the strict compliance of the ordinance.

Meanwhile, Velasquez said another public hearing on the draft ordinance will be conducted in December this year with internet café owners and proprietors as invited participants to give their ideas before the ordinance is finalized. (PIA 8, Biliran)