The city council on Monday through Resolution 561, s. 2020 has temporarily suspended some provisions of Ordinance 66, s. 2020 or the “Computer Shops and Internet Cafés Regulatory Ordinance” to give students more leeway in accessing Internet shops and cafés for their research and online classes.
The action is in line with the implementation of blended learning amid the Covid-19 pandemic to help students cope with such approach, which requires Internet gadgets and connectivity, especially those who rely on Internet shops.
Among the suspended provisions are in Section 5, which “requires minors or 18 years and below to stay only until 8:30 p.m. in computer shops even if accompanied by their guardians” and “allows minors inside the computer premises only during class hours and with presence of their teachers or school authority, or with written letter by their school heads.”
With the new adjustment, students can enter computer shops during class hours without the presence of their teachers or school authorities, or without the need of written letter by their school heads. They can also stay beyond 8:30 p.m. in computer shops to work or do their online class activities with or without the presence of their guardians.
Another suspended provision of the ordinance is in Section 6 regarding the prohibition for elementary and secondary level students who are still minors to enter the computer shops during class hours from Monday to Friday and Saturday if there are schedules of class on the said day, and allowing only students who are not minors to do research work in computer rental shops between 6 and 1 a.m.
This gives more time for both minor and adult students to avail of the services of computer/Internet shops from Monday to Saturday between 6 to 1 a.m. to conveniently and fully attend to their online classes.
The resolution further requires administrators/managers to see to it that students in their shops shall access only their online class site/s as well as to strictly observe the minimum health protocols, especially social distancing, disinfection, and proper ventilation.
In Resolution 563, s. 2020, the body urged the Sangguniang Kabataan Baguio City chapter to conduct tutorials to students in the barangays in keeping with the youth’s vital role and participation in nation-building.
The activity is in line with the provision of Republic Act 10742 or the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015 and the Philippine Youth Development Plan 2017-2022, which covers education as one of the nine centers for youth participation.
The resolution also allows tutorial sessions to be conducted in the SK office in the barangay hall on schedules duly advised to the barangay. The SK may provide school and printing supplies at hand and the use of the computer and printer for free.
Through Resolution 558, s. 2020, the barangays were urged to use their early childhood care facilities predominantly or mainly as child development or day care centers as soon as the Covid-19 pandemic has been contained.
The request is in response to the concern the City Social Welfare and Development Officer Betty Fangasan that most barangays are using their day care centers for other functions, which deprives children three to four years old of their rightful use of the area.
The resolution stated because of the Covid-19 pandemic, child development centers are used other than its essential functions for special events, functions or necessary meetings of the barangays for the meantime, but it must revert to their primordial purpose immediately after the pandemic has been contained.
In a joint Resolution 567, s. 2020, residents are encouraged to support and participate in the measles-rubella-polio supplemental immunization activity.
The resolution states eradicating these childhood vaccine-preventable diseases requires that at least 95 percent of child population aged zero to 59 months be fully immunized annually which required unified commitments of the national government, local government unit, health workers, communities, parents, and all sectors of the society.
In Joint Resolution 564, s. 2020, the city council encourages all government offices situated in the city to credit as significant service experience all volunteer efforts rendered during the Covid-19 crisis by individuals who wish to apply in the government service.
The resolution stated that acknowledging the efforts and sacrifices of community volunteers through a credit system, especially for those who wish to join the government service, encourages them to remain actively engaged and inspire others to do the same. They attained significant experiences apart from hands-on training over and above their formal education, which greatly impacted their professional advancement as potential leaders and productive Baguio citizens.
Their essential immersions have also levelled up and prepared them as better and competent workers, be it for the government service or in the private sector.
April 27, 2024
