11 internet cafes in city don't have permit to operate
Eleven internet cafes in the city are operating without business permits. Eight of the 11 violators are located in Mandurriao district while three are from the City Proper. However, as to date no penalties have been imposed against the owners.
In a report submitted by the Task Force Adam's Apple to Mayor Jerry Treñas, the eight internet cafes in Mandurriao district are RGA Internet Center, Piglet.Net, Backyard.Com, Hackers Point Internet Café, Coccyx Computer Center, Quick Sit Internet Station, Packet Switch Computer Sales and Service and another unnamed internet station owned by a certain Raffy Ignacio.
The report dated July 2, 2007 also identified Battle Dome Internet Station, Net Post Internet Café and SkyRace Internet Station at the City Proper as having no license to operate.
Aside from doing business without having license, the task force led by Jonathan Jucaban also found minors playing computer games inside the said establishments.
The task force said the eight internet stations in Mandurriao are located near two schools, the Mandurriao National High School and Sta. Isabel Learning School, which is a violation of the city's existing ordinance. While, the schools affected by internet stations in the city proper are University of Iloilo, Ateneo de Iloilo, Sun Yat Sen High School, Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus and San Jose Parochial School.
Report further said they have already informed and reminded the owners of the internet cafes of the existing Regulation Ordinance No. 2001-185 and its corresponding penalties. They were called to report to the office of Task Force head Mayet Geremias.
Under such ordinance, violators will face a closure of two days for the first offense, one week closure for the second offense and a closure of one-month, fine of P5,000 and imprisonment of six months to one year for the third offense.
No penalties or closure was imposed to the violators as they were given two weeks to process their business permits at the Iloilo City Hall. The records of violators will also be furnished to the City Business Licensing Division.
The task force has no authority to effect closure but they can recommend. The closure order of every establishment needs the approval of the chief executive and the City Legal Office.