LTNCAI BRIEF DESCRIPTION

It has been a long organized group composed of Computer Shop, Net/Internet Café, Gaming Shop/Center owners and operators established to provide a more cooperative and organized communication between computer shop owners of La Trinidad, Benguet in January 2009.

Registered to the Securities and Exchange Commission in December 4, 2008. It was accredited by the Municipal Government of La Trinidad, Benguet.

The LTNCAI has envisioned to regulate Computer Rental Shops, Internet and/or Net Café’s, Computer Gaming Shops/Centers operation in consonance with the Municipality of La Trinidad’s pertinent ordinances towards promotion of cleanliness, health and safety, improvement of public morals, recognition of children’s welfare, maintenance of peace and order, and preservation of comfort and convenience of stakeholders/community as well as promotion of healthy, competitive and stable computer business industry.


LTNCAI LGU Accreditation (Municipality of La Trinidad)

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

BSU High School Batch 1996 Reunion

Hello friends!
There will be a reunion of BSU High School Batch 1996 this coming April 11,2009 -- 4pm at D and L Pavillion Km.6, La Trinidad, Benguet.
For more details contact Ms. Sherilyn Bilango Bilauro at BSU or text her at 09202131817.
Thanks and see you there.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

ORDINANCES COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS as Presented and Discussed during the Emergency Meeting...

(For those who are not present during the meeting, please read carefully the draft below and email us your own comments recommendations at ltncai1@gmail.com)


ORDINANCES COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

as Presented and Discussed during the Emergency Meeting

Held on March 27,2009 at the BSU- RSDC

MUNICIPAL ORDINANCES

A. 2005 Revised Revenue Code of LTB (Annex A)

1. Article 4A. Mayor’s Permit Fee on Business. Sec. 4A.02 Imposition of Fees (Annex A1)

Computer Shops:

a. Computer games/encoding/internet for first ten (10) sets or less 2,000.00

For each set in excess of 10 sets 200.00

b. Computer services (encoding, internet) for first ten (10) sets or less 1,000.00

For each set in excess of 10 sets 150.00

c. Computer services (encoding) for first ten (10) sets or less 500.00

For each set in excess of 10 sets 50.00

Recommendation:

It is recommended for computer shops to have a single classification as “Computer Services”.

Mayor’s permit fee shall be BASED ON THE NUMBER OF OPERATIONAL UNITS (units being rented out to clients) EXCEPT THE SERVER (unit used by owner/management to facilitate the business) with suggested rate as follows:

Mayor’s Permit First 10 operational units, except the server (11 units)P 1,000.00

For each set in excess of 11 units 50.00

Example: 14 operational units + 1 server = 15 units

Mayor’s Permit Fee P 1,200.00

For less than 10 operation units, Mayor’s Permit Feeshall be computed at ………………………… 100/unit

Example: 6 operational units + 1 server = 7 units

Mayor’s Permit Fee P 600.00

It’s true that that computer business have several possible services to offer. However, with the fast growing number of internet café’ and affordable internet connections, more and more now avail of residential connections and competition now came to a very tough situation wherein computer businesses struggle to survive. Moreover, having a single service to offer also is not an assurance of competitive livelihood in the industry, meaning no one would ever limit its services to a single or specific service such as encoding alone.

2. Article 6E. Charges for collection of garbage. A. Amusement Places (Annex A2)

1. Amusement centers and establishments with coin-operated from every owner or operator of a business and other similar establishments with contrivances for the amusement. P 1,000.00

Recommendation:

It is recommended that computer shop shall be classified and separated from the #1 category, for the reason that computer operation actually offer more services than amusement, as Net/ Internet Café’

Garbage Fee Charge is based on the volume and kind/type of waste P 100.00

Computer operation indeed has waste generation which could be classified as follows:

Recyclables Paper, cartoons, plastic bottles, ink containers, busted computers

Residual Candy wrappers, Styrofoam, plastic bags, and the like

Biodegradable Dust”

From the above waste types, 70% of daily waste generations are recyclables and biodegradable. Residual waste accounts for only 30%. Actual volume, however, is very much less considering that most computer shops disallow eating in front of computers for safety, economic and sanitation reasons.

Further, the association will be implementing an Operational Guidelines that includes a Waste Management Program in support to the Municipal Waste Management Program. Salient points include segregation of waste, precycling (reduction of waste), reuse, recycle and observance of appropriate date and time of residual waste disposal.

B. CODE OF ORDINANCES (Annex B)

1. DISTANCE OF COMPUTER SHOPS/NET CAFÉ’

Section 189. Billiard Halls (Annex B1)

Article 1. No similar amusement center is to be constructed w/in 50 meters from any public office, building, plaza park or private or public educational institutions.

Comment: Section 189 specifies for Billiards Hall

Recommendation:

With the present importance of internet access and anticipated bilateral connection/coordination of computer shops/net café’ with schools and all concerns, restricting distance of computer shops/ net café’ from public office, building, plaza park or private or public educational institutions seems not realistic. It is recommended, however, to put more emphasis on how to regulate operation especially those within 50 meters adjacent to private or public educational institutions. On regulating operation within these 50 meters, an accredited association would be most helpful.

2. REGULATING CHILDREN EXPOSURE TO COMPUTER GAMES

Ordinance No.1 – 2003. La Trinidad Children’s Welfare Act (Annex B2)

Sect 11. Control of Children’s exposure to commercial video and computer games

“NO PERSON BELOW EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE SHALL BE ALLOWED TO PLAY COMPUTER GAMES EXCEPT ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS.”

Violation of this shall be penalized as follows:

1st Offense : P1,500 fine and suspension for a period of 30 days.

2nd Offense : P2,000 fine and suspension of operation for a period of 60 days

3rd Offense : P2,500 fine and revocation of business permit and subject for reconsideration

4th Offense : Permanent Closure

Recommendation:

REGULATION

1. Student in uniform or person below 18 years old shall not be allowed in the computer shop during class hours unless the purpose for coming into the shop is to type or print or do research for their school requirements.

2. GAMES: Person below eighteen years of age shall be allowed to play computer games on weekends, holidays, vacation and non-class hours during school days subject to the following guidelines:

Ø Children below ten (10) YEARS OLD shall NOT BE ALLOWED to play without prior consent from parents.

Ø ELEMENTARY PUPILS (AGES 10 – 12) shall NOT BE ALLOWED to play during LUNCH BREAK but are ALLOWED TO PLAY after class from 3:30 PM TO 5:30 PM.

Ø HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS are ALLOWED TO PLAY during LUNCH BREAK and AFTER CLASS FROM 4 TO 7 PM.

Ø COLLEGE STUDENTS are ALLOWED TO PLAY UNTIL 9 PM in the evening.

3. ACCESS OF COMPUTER SERVICE BEYOND 9 PM TO 5 AM THE NEXT DAY SHALL BE LIMITED TO ADULT PERSON (18 YEARS AND ABOVE) ONLY. Operator/owner of shops/café’ operating 24 hours shall be responsible and liable for the safety and conduct of his/her client during the period of operation. Further, shops or café’s operating 24 hours shall secure required permit from the LGU.

Above recommended guidelines shall be carried in all Computer Associations’ Operational Guidelines if approved and considered. Further, the associations shall be mandated to help in the regulation and strict observance of above guidelines, if approved and considered, AMONG ITS MEMBERS.

It is also recommended that any accredited computer associations shall be given full authority and support to regulate their members. Further, associations be given authority to intercede and discipline their members with implementation of penal provisions approved by the municipal government of La Trinidad, Benguet.

Example:

Any member and/or operator/owner found violating this guideline shall be penalized as follows:

a) 1st Offense – Warning

b) 2nd Offense – Written Reprimand and a fine of 100.00. None payment of penalty means non-compliance and disrespect to existing association rules and regulation thus effect an automatic expulsion of membership.

c) 3rd Offense – Expulsion and Termination of Membership

d) 4th and Subsequent Offense – penalty shall be coordinated to the Municipal Government for appropriate action.

Violation of this shall be penalized as follows:

1st Offense : P1,500 fine and suspension for a period of 30 days.

2nd Offense : P2,000 fine and suspension of operation for a period of 60 days

3rd Offense : P2,500 fine and revocation of business permit and subject for reconsideration

4th Offense : Permanent Closure

- Concerned associations shall make the necessary recommendation and/or report to the municipal government.

- Close coordination shall be maintained to effect and ensure full implementation of penalty.

Note: Violations by non-member of any association shall be reported just the same by any association to the office concerned for proper action.

B. Recommendations

1. NO PERMIT, NO OPERATION

CODE OF ORDINANCES: Section 188. Recreation Center (Annex B3)

Article 1. Mayor’s Permit

No Mayor’s Permit, No Operation (For strict implementation)

Recommendation:

All associations and/or members shall report any violation of the above NO PERMIT, NO OPERATION.

PERMIT FEES: It is recommended that Permit Fees shall be computed prorated, specifically for those new businesses applying for business permit in the middle of year. Penalties of late application for business permit shall only take effect if proven that a business has been operating for months prior to application of business permit.

2. Conduct of Raids

Observations:

Ø Most raids conducted employ drastic moves that disadvantageous to both clients and shop owner.

Ø Raids conducted are not consistent among computer shops and for the whole La Trinidad.

Recommendation:

An SOP should be created involving the Local Police, Barangays, PTA, Computer Associations, DSWD, concerned NGO’s (if any) and the Municipal Gov’t of La Trinidad and shall be religiously observed during raid.

Example:

a. No costumers, regardless of age, shall be coerced or harassed during the raid.

b. Only the owner/employee shall be reprimanded during raids

c. Civil rights should always be respected especially that any violation (if there would be) would not be regarded as brutal or murder.

d. Shops with ASSOCIATION STICKER (accredited) will just be noted of any violation and will be addressed to the association.

3. Additional Requirement during filing of Business Permits

Ø Accreditation by LTNCAI or any accredited computer association in La Trinidad prior to Business Permit application.

Basis: City of Marikina Ordinance No. 044 S. 2006 (Annex C)

4. Health / Medical Certificate Requirement

Recommendation: Clarified and should not be required

FOR THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

For amendment consideration

1. Prov. Ordinance No. 08 – 130. Sec 9. Internet User’s Logbook

Comment: Not realistic. Maybe for minors only and or during class hours

2. Provincial Fee: 500

Comment: Basis??? Can it be lowered?


Friday, March 27, 2009

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!

To all OLD Members, we encourage you to please fill-up the membership form provided here on the blog for us to update the existing net/computer shops. Your cooperation is highly appreciated.

Present List of Officers and Members

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OFFICERS
President:
Domelson F. Balangen

Vice President: Malbert L. Gansuen

Secretary: Annabelle M. Baliwan

Asst. Secretary: Harriet N. Abyadang

Treasurer: Aida C. Pawilen

Auditor: John Paul S. Egtapen

REPRESENTATIVES:

Segrid A. Casimero

Clinton G. Bulos

Gloria I. Amango (Kenneth Amango)

Alvin L. Matundan

Roy A. Benmaso Jr.

Danny C. Taltala


Current Registered Members (Tentative)