City dad: Ban Pokemon Go in public areas

CEBU, Philippines - A city councilor wants the use of the Pokemon Go app banned in all public areas, government offices, as well as in public elementary, secondary and tertiary schools, in Cebu City.

In his proposed ordinance, Pastor Alcover Jr. cites the several accidents around the world, including the Philippines, which have been attributed to the use of the app.

"Not only can the reckless use of this Pokemon Go app cause accidents but it also has the propensity to unduly disrupt vital functions of, and the day-to-day transactions in, the various government offices within Cebu City, as well as the performance of duties and functions of its officials and employees," the proposed ordinance reads.

The app became available in the country on August 6.

The app has tagged the Cebu City Hall as one of its pokestops, meaning it is an area where there are many pokemons to catch. Pokemon Go is a location-based mobile game using augmented reality to place the coveted virtual monsters, called pokemons, into real-world locations.

According to Alcover, he is disturbed by the fact that users or pokemon trainers have to travel around to collect pokemons and to add them to their collections using pokestops.

"Some users play the app from inside their vehicles, stopping suddenly, while pedestrians use the app staring at device screens, as they walk through busy streets without regard to their own safety, as well as to the safety of others," he said.

Under the proposed ordinance, minors or those below 18 years old have a different set penalty from adults.

For minors, the penalty for first offense is a written warning to the parents/legal guardian certified by barangay captain; for second offense, a written stern warning to the parents/guardian certified by City Social Welfare Service officer or representative and the barangay captain; third offense, the parent or legal guardian together with the child shall render a total of six hours community service to be administered by the barangay chairman.

The penalties for adults are a fine of P1,000 for first offense; P2,000 for second offense; and P4,000 and imprisonment of not more than six months or both fine and imprisonment for the third offense.

Alcover proposes that the Philippine National Police, Cebu City Transportation Office, Civil Security Office of the Cebu City government, and the Department of Education-7 be mandated to effectively implement the ordinance.

His proposal also bars City Hall employees from using the app or playing within the premises of the City Hall during work hours.

As for the general public, the draft ordinance says no one should play in public places such as but not limited to roads, streets, ports, bridges, parks and plazas, government-owned buildings and offices. It also proposes to prohibit the use of Pokestops or lure spots in public places or areas in the city.

The same prohibition is also pushed in public schools with Alcover urging the Department of Education to issue a memorandum banning the use of the mobile application in all public schools in the city.

The Cebu Provincial Board earlier issued a resolution banning the popular reality mobile game in all schools in the province. (FREEMAN)