From 10pm to 6am: Calamba bans minors inside internet cafés

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Legal Office (CLO) has approved the proposed ordinance of Barangay Calamba banning minors in internet cafes at night, as it was enacted pursuant to law and jurisprudence.

"The test of a valid ordinance is that it must conform not only to procedural requirements but substantive as well," said Gealon.

"This ordinance which seeks to prohibit minors from entering into any internet houses from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. within its territorial jurisdiction has complied (with) just that," he added.

According to the ordinance, undesirable activities like minors organizing or getting into gangs; minors gambling; minors peddling drugs; minors getting into cyberpornography; and minors getting involved in sex trafficking usually occur in internet houses.

In order to provide protection for the minors from any harm or danger and provide them safety and security, the Sangguniang Barangay of Calamba had enacted a barangay ordinance for such purpose.

As provided, any establishment owner who violates the ordinance shall be punished accordingly.

For the first and second offense, it will be a fine amounting to P200 and P500, respectively, per minor rescued by the barangay authorities. For the third offense, revocation or closure of the establishment of the internet house will be imposed.

Gealon said being a product of derivative legislative power, barangays may enact the same subject to review by the Sangguniang Panlungsod pursuant to Section 57 of RA 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code.

The CLO rendered its legal opinion on the matter after the office of Councilor Eugenio Gabuya Jr. forwarded it to their office for legal action.  GAN (FREEMAN)