Vol. XXII, No. 63
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
The Economy
DAVAO CITY — Regulating Internet café operations in this city has become difficult since the number of these establishments ballooned to over 400, with only 70 registered under the Internet Cafe Association of Davao, or ICAD, which coordinates with the city government on enforcement of policies.
Yvonne F. Cabada, association president, said Internet cafés have become a popular investment choice for overseas Filipino workers.
ICAD is organizing an Internet Café Summit this Nov.14 at the city's legislative building that will discuss topics like the effect of the Internet on children and women, as well as education and business.
Ms. Cabada said that the city's Business Bureau has already suspended some cafés for illegal operations. The city government regularly monitors these establishments in cooperation with the Internet Café Association Board. The Business Bureau has also fined café owners after they were caught allowing students to play games during school hours.
Johpee Agustin, Business Bureau chief, said stricter monitoring of these establishments started last February. First-time offenders were fined P1,000, while second-time offenders were meted a P2,000 fine. If the owner is caught for the third time, she said, the city government will impose a P5,000 fine plus closure of the establishment. — J. B. Escovilla
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