Bacolod intensifies monitoring of gaming centers admitting studes
BACOLOD CITY -- Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the city government will intensify its monitoring on internet gaming operators that allow minors and students during class hours.
A city ordinance prohibits gaming centers from admitting schoolchildren during class hours.
Recently, Sangguniang Panglungsod Member Greg Gasataya, chair of the Committee on Education, and Acting City Legal Officer Atty. Vicente Petierre Jr. conducted an inspection of internet cafes and on-line gaming centers in downtown Bacolod.
Gasataya discovered after their inspection that almost 90 percent of customers inside internet gaming centers were students and most of them were minors. "I was shocked when we conducted a surprise inspection because there was even a 5-year old pupil inside," Gasataya said.
Gasataya said this problem is now alarming considering that many parents keep on complaining as to the city's immediate response on the matter. Gasataya clarified that based on the ordinance, the gaming centers and internet cafes could only accommodate students between 5 and 8 p.m. or after class hours.
"The only exception is that when a student is accompanied by his/her parent," Gasataya added.
Gasataya warned establishments to abide by the ordinance, otherwise their business permit will be suspended or revoked.
On the other hand, Acting City Legal Officer Atty. Vicente Petierre Jr. is now preparing a letter to all gaming stations warning them not to allow entry of students during class hours. He said that violators shall face suspension for 30 days or a fine of not less than P4,000.