SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
) 
) 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
.. ,... ('> 
S. No . ..I. i) n 
Introduced by SENATOR PIA S. CAYETANO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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The steady rise in the number of students not attending or otherwise 
cutting classes in order to play computer games or surf the internet in computer 
rental shops, video arcades and internet cafes are downright alarming. Although 
there are some computer shop owners who voluntarily prohibit students from 
using the computers to play or surf during school hours, school officials, both in 
private and public schools, in general, have been helpless in requesting owners 
of said shops, arcades and cafes to refuse entry of students during school hours. 
The operation of computer rental shops, internet cafes and similar 
establishments is not per se inimical to the well· being of students, With the 
advent of the internet age, these shops likewise provide access to students for 
research and other academic purposes, However, considering the danger that 
these shops likewise pose, there is. an urgent need to regulate their operations 
so as not to allow them to become avenues for the disruption of students' 
attendance in class and a hindrance to a good education. 
The immediate approval of this bill is hence earnestly sought. 
SEt.J P¥ETANO · 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
156 
s, No,_--,-
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'13 
JUL -1 P 3 :27 
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Introduced by SENATOR PIA S, CAYETANO 
AN ACT REGULATING THE OPERATION OF COMPUTER RENTAL SHOPS 
AND SIMILAR ESTABLISHMENTS, PRESCRIBING PENALTIES FOR 
VIOLATION THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Prohibition. - Owners or operators of computer rental shops, video 
arcades, internet cafes and similar establishments or places of amusement are 
hereby prohibited from accepting students into their shops, arcades or cafes 
during regular school hours, 
SECTION 2. Exemption. - students, whether in uniform or not, who intend to 
rent computers during school hours for the purpose of making a report, doing 
research, or for any other academic and/or legitimate purpose, shall be allowed 
entry and use of computers provided they secure a written authorization from 
their teacher, professor, prefect of discipline, school prinCipal or other 
responsible official of the schooL 
SECTION 3. Maintenance of Log Book. - The owner, proprietor or manager of 
any computer shop or similar establishment that may be given exemption, as 
provided in the foregoing section, shall maintain a logbook of students allowed to 
rent a. computer which shall contain, among others, information such as the 
students' name, their school, school identification card numbers, the length or 
duration of computer rentals, and other similar and relevant information. 
Computer rental shops and similar establishments shall likewise maintain a file 
for the documentation of written authorizations of students allowed to rent 
computers during school hours. 


SECTION 4. Written Undertaking. - The owner, proprietor or manager of every 
I 
computer shop or similar establishment shall execute a written undertaking not to 
admit into said establishment students during regular school hours, except for 
authorized academic or legitimate purposes as provided in Section 2 hereof, as a 
pre-requisite for the issuance or renewal of a business permit or similar license 
from the local government concerned. 
SECTION 5. Signage. - The owner, proprietor or manager of every computer 
shop or similar establishment shall post at the entrance of the shop a sign stating 
that "minors are not allowed during regular school hours" or words of similar 
import. 
SECTION 6. Penal Provision. - Owners, proprietors and/or managers of 
computer rental shops or similar establishments who allow entry of students in 
violation of the foregoing provisions shall be penalized as follows: 
a) For the First Offense - A fine in such amount as the local 
government unit concerned is allowed by law to prescribe for 
violation of an ordinance which, in no case, shall exceed Two 
Thousand Pesos (Php2,000.00); 
b) For the Second Offense - A fine in such amount as the 
local government unit concerned is allowed by law to prescribe for 
violation of an ordinance which, in no case, shall exceed Three 
Thousand Pesos (Php3,000,00); 
c) For the Third Offense - A fine in such amount as the local 
government unit concerned is allowed by law to prescribe for 
violation of an ordinance which, in no case, shall exceed Five 
Thousand Pesos (Php5,000,00), in addition to the permanent 
revocation of the establishment's bUsiness permit and/or prohibition 
from further engaging in a similar business. 
SECTION 7. Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Interior and Local 
Government shall, within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, 
promulgate such rules, regulations and guidelines as may be necessary for the 
effective implementation of the provisions of this Act. 


SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any part, section, or provision of this Act 
shall be held invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions shall not be affected 
thereby. 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 1224 and all other acts, laws, 
executive orders, presidential issuances, rules and regulations, or any part 
thereof, which are inconsistent herewith are hereby deemed repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
SECTION 10. Effectivity. - The provisions of this Act shall take effect fifteen (15) 
days following its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,