CHAPTER V
REGULATORY PROVISIONS ON LEISURE AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
ARTICLE 1. REGULATING THE PLAYING / SELLING / DISTRIBUTION OF VIDEO GAMES CONSOLES AND SOFTWARE, MACHINES, FAMILY COMPUTERS AND OTHER SIMILAR ITEMS / MACHINES FOUND IN AMUSEMENT/GAMING CENTERS, INTERNET CAFES, MALLS AND OTHER SIMILAR ESTABLISHMENTS.
Section 13. The operation of billiard hall or any kind of video machine, arcade, family/personal computer used for games and other similar contraption within the radius of two hundred (200) meters from any educational or religious institution is prohibited.
Section 14. All minors, particularly school children, are absolutely restricted to play in billiard halls or the above mentioned devices found in amusement centers, malls and other similar establishments located in Municipality of Miagao, Province of Iloilo, during school hours from 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Mondays to Fridays. Operators and owners of these machines must strictly implement this prohibition, under penalty of law.
Section 15. Minors may be allowed play in billiard halls and/or videogame machines and other similar equipment at the above mentioned establishments only during Saturdays, Sundays, Legal Holidays, summer and Christmas vacations. However, minors may be allowed to enter the said establishments from Mondays to Fridays even during school hours solely for the purpose of conducting a research for school assignments or projects, provided that, the minor must present a valid school ID and permission slip duly signed by his/her teacher-adviser, school officials or parent/guardian or is accompanied personally by the teacher or parent/guardian.
The owner/ operator/proprietor of the computer rental establishment must enter in a record book the name of the minor, the time and day of entry and the name of person who issued the permission slip or accompanying the minor. The record book must be maintained for inspection by the authorized representative of the Office of the Municipal Mayor.
Section 16. CATEGORIZATION AND RATING OF VIDEO GAMES.
A.) Video games shall be categorized into:
(1) Puzzle
(2) Sports
(3) Fighting/combat
(4) Action
(5) Racing
(6) Adventure
(7) Strategy
(8) Simulator
(9) Space combat
B) Video games shall be rated into:
(1) KF – Kid-Friendly (non-violent)
(2) LV – Less Violent
(3) V – Violent
(3) UV – Ultra-Violent
Section 17 . Children below 14 years of age may play video games rated as Kid-Friendly or non-violent under the category of puzzle, sports, adventure, racing, strategy, flight simulator and the likes, during the hours/days allowed under this ordinance.
Section 18. Children 15-18 years of age may play video games rated as less violent games under any of the categories listed during the hours/days allowed under this Code.
Section 19. Ultra-violent games are those games that reveal on audio or video graphics of profanity, bestiality and brutality such as the throwing of invectives, slandering, the breaking of limbs, mutilation or dismemberment, spewing of blood, blasting of limb/body with high powered guns or equipment.
Section 20. Ultra-violent video games, pornographic videos and animation, nudity, video carreras and other similar form which corrupt the child’s intellectual, spiritual, social and emotional growth are prohibited from being operated, sold or distributed.
Section 21. The Miagao Video/Videogame Regulatory Board, as may be created under the Business Permit and Licensing Office under an appropriate Executive Order, shall monitor and screen all video games and animation and to rate or categorize a particular game or video, and to implement the provisions of this Code.
ARTICLE 2. PROHIBITING THE USE AND SALE OF CIGARETTE, AND ANY OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS, AND LIQUOR TO MINORS
Section 22. The use and sale of any brand of cigarettes, tobacco products or any kind of liquor or intoxicating drinks to persons below eighteen (18) years of age is strictly prohibited.
Likewise prohibited is the act of instructing, ordering, sending to an errand or coopting a minor to buy or acquire any of the prohibited articles, including parent/s and guardian/s of a minor without legal and moral justification.
Section 23. Any person, whether manufacturer, wholesaler or retailer, found to be selling cigarettes, tobacco products or any kind of liquor or intoxicating drinks to minors shall be held liable under this Code.
Section 24. Owners, proprietors or operators of retail, sari-sari, convenience stores, groceries, bars and similar establishments are required to post the following notice in a conspicuous spot in the establishment:
“Selling of beer, liquor and other intoxicating beverages, cigarettes and other tobacco products to minors is strictly prohibited by law.”
Section 25. SALE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND/OR LIQUOR/ INTOXICATING DRINKS WITHIN THE PERIMETERS OF CENTERS OF YOUTH ACTIVITY. The sale or distribution of cigarettes or any tobacco products and/or liquor/intoxicating drinks is prohibited within one hundred (100) meters from any point of the perimeter of a school, public playground or other facility frequented by minors, except from 6:00 o’clock in the evening until 6:00 o’clock in the morning.
ARTICLE 3. CURFEW FOR MINORS
Section 26. It is hereby prohibited for minors or persons below eighteen (18) years of age to be loitering outside their homes/residences or in any public place between 10:00P.M. and 4:00 A.M., except:
a.) Minors found outside their home/residence during emergency situations.
b.) Minors who are found outside their home/residence between 10:00 P.M. and 4:00 A.M to run errand for the purpose of saving lives during emergency situations or any other legitimate purpose;
c.) Minors found outside their home/residence between 10:00 P.M. and 4:00 A.M and accompanied by their parents.
d.) Minors attending an activity beyond 10:00 P.M. and while on their way from such activity;
e.) Minors attending family celebrations or parties held outside the home/residence during nighttime and while on their way from such celebration or parties.
f.) Minor student doing group studies outside their home/residence or staying in internet cafes doing school-sanctioned research work, projects or assignments beyond 10:00 P.M.: Provided, that the minor student must bring with him/her a valid school ID. Minor student below thirteen (13) years old is not exempt under this paragraph.
g.) Minor may be found in such places due to causes beyond his or her control upon excusable reasons.
h.) Minor attending activities in connection with barangay and municipal patronal fiestas, Salakayan Festival and other official activities sanctioned and/or sponsored by the Miagao Government, and while on their way from such activities;
Section 27. It shall be unlawful for owners, proprietors, operators, possessors, managers, or administrators of bars, night clubs, restaurants, cafes, refreshments, convenient stores, computer or video establishments or places of similar in nature to allow minor/s to stay in their premises beyond 10:00 o’clock in the evening.
The owners, proprietors, operators, possessors, managers, or administrators of the aforementioned establishments are required to display at least one (1) legible and visible sign posted within their premises saying:
“MINORS ARE PROHIBITED FROM STAYING BEYOND 10:00 P.M.”
ARTICLE 4. SALE OF RUGBY OR SOLVENTS
Section 28. Hardware stores and other establishments operating in the Municipality of Miagao, Province of Iloilo are hereby prohibited from selling rugby and/or solvents to minors or to persons under eighteen (18) years of age. Furthermore, said establishments are required to maintain a log where the name, address and purpose of the customer in buying the substance shall be recorded.
ARTICLE 5. PROHIBITION OF MINORS IN BARS, BEERHOUSE AND/OR OTHER ADULT ENTERTAINMENT VENUES
Section 29. It is hereby prohibited the entry of minors in bars, beerhouse and other venues providing mature entertainment and / or catering to adults. The owner or operator of these establishments is required to conspicuously post a notice at the entrance of the establishment stating that:
“Minors are Not Allowed”.