Cebu City Legislator Wants to Ban Pokemon Go in Public Schools, Public Places

A Cebu City legislator wants to ban the playing of Pokemon Go, a popular online game, in all public areas, government offices and public schools in the city.

Cebu City Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr. said the location-based augmented reality game can cause accidents on the city’s streets, disrupt day-to-day transactions in government offices, affect the performance of officials and employees and distract students from their studies.

“Some users are playing 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.

Alcover said roads, parks, plazas, government buildings, churches and private places, have been used as PokeStops or areas to lure virtual creatures.

This has affected the safe, peaceful and orderly atmosphere of the places, he said.

In his two-page proposed ordinance, Alcover said no public official or employee of the city government is allowed to play Pokemon Go while inside the Cebu City Hall.

No one is also allowed to play the game in public places, which cover streets, ports, bridges, parks, plaza’s, government buildings as well as private places but are open to the public, such as churches and museums.

The proposed ordinance also seeks to prohibit the use of these places as PokeStops or lure spots.

No one is also allowed to play Pokemon Go while inside the premises of public schools.

Alcover proposed that the barangay captain sends a written warning to the parents or legal guardian of minors who will violate the ordinance for the first time.

To second offenders, a warning will be issued by the City Social Welfare Service and the barangay chairman concerned.

For the third offense, the parent or legal guardian, together with the child, will have to render a six-hour community service, which will be administered by the barangay captain or his representative.

For adult offenders, Alcover proposed a penalty of PHP1,000 for their first offense; PHP2,000 for the second offense; and PHP4,000 for the third. (PNA) LAP/EB/EDS