ORDINANCE NO: 2003-227 "AN ORDINANCE BANNING AND DECLARING AS ILLEGAL THE ESTABLISHMENT, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF VIDEO CARRERA JOINTS IN THE CITY OF PAGADIAN AND PROVIDING PENALTY FOR VIOLATION THEREOF" WHEREAS, the constitution provides that the state recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being; WHEREAS, consistent with the foregoing policy, the City Government of Pagadian is committed to eradicate within its territorial jurisdiction all social ills, vicious undertakings or activities, much more the establishment, operation and maintenance thereof, which may adversely influence or cause harmful effects on the psychological development of the local youth; WHEREAS, there are now Video Carrera joints being rampantly and discreetly operated in the City by enterprising individuals who are profiteering out of the indulgence thereto by minors, and thus to the frustration of their parents, their studies, moral and spiritual values, including the income of their families are adversely affected thereby; WHEREAS, it is now imperative to institute stringent measure consistent with established state policy in order to save local youth from moral and spiritual degradation and thereafter ensure their proper growth and development; NOW THEREFORE, be it ordained, as it is hereby ordained, by the City Council of Pagadian City, that: SECTION 1. - There is hereby banned and declared as illegal the establishment, operation and maintenance of Video Carrera Joints within the territorial jurisdiction of Pagadian City, and for this purpose, all existing Video Carrera Joints in the City are hereby ordered closed and the video carrera machine, accessories and paraphernalia confiscated and destroyed. SECTION 2. - Person or persons who, after the effectivity of this Ordinance, shall be apprehended and charged in court, his establishment closed and video carrera machine, accessories and paraphernalia confiscated and made as evidence thereto for violation of this ordinance, and shall be penalized, if found guilty, by a court of competent jurisdiction with a fine of not less than P500.00 but not more than P5,000.00 or imprisonment of one (1) year or both at the discretion of the court. SECTION 3. - In no case or instance shall there be issued business permit for the operation of Video Carrera Joint, and as such, all applications for business permit for the operation of video games, including internet cafes, shall be thoroughly screened and investigated to preclude the use of such permits in the operation of Video Carrera. SECTION 4. - This Ordinance shall take effect immediately after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation within the City of Pagadian. ENACTED AND APPROVED by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (7th City Council) of Pagadian City on its 97th Regular Session held on September 3, 2003 at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall.