TNC Manager Redulfin: “TNC Supports Gatchalian’s Bill.”
In an exclusive interview with TheNet.com’s (TNC) General Manager, Mr. Eric Redulfin, he stated that TNC is in full support of Valenzuela City Representative Sherwin Gatchalian’s bill that prohibits all computer shop owners from admitting minors into their establishments during school hours.
House Bill No. 4740, also known as the “Internet Cafe Regulation Act,” will limit children’s access to computers and other gadgets to prevent addiction. According to Representative Gatchalian, the bill also aims to prevent untoward accidents and violence that may stem from disagreements while playing popular video game titles such as Defense of the Ancients (DOTA) or CounterStrike.
“We fully support the bill of Rep. Gatchalian. It has always been our advocacy, to promote ‘Responsible Gaming’,” Redulfin said. “Because I closely monitor the daily operations of our shops, I know all the problems that our shop encounters. Most of the unwanted violence incidents in our shops involve minors known for taking prohibited drugs. We believe that this must be one aspect that needs attention.”
“In our country gaming has not been fully accepted by our society. Gaming has become more of a “taboo” in our country while it has already taken center stage in other countries,” Redulfin added.
“Recently, more of the news that is being announced or published is just the negative side of gaming. Milestones and achievements such as the result of the recently concluded DAC 2015 in China where Rave, a Filipino team, bagged P6.6 million was not given too much attention.”
Redulfin stressed that TNC has been a true advocate of “Responsible Gaming” in the Philippines alongside other gaming organizations. He explained that TNC understands the importance of education and discipline in a life of a gamer. “Great skills in gaming combined with the right amount of discipline and responsibility can produce not only a high-caliber gamer but a good person as well,” Redulfin said in a statement.
“Over the years, gaming has evolved from being an entertainment to an industry that can generate jobs by playing at a high level. Games such as Dota, Counter Strike, League of Legends and others should not be banned. Instead they should be regulated,” Redulfin’s statement read. “We can never stop the technology from innovating especially in this generation where everything is almost digitalized and computerized. Instead of going against the flow of technology, why don’t we open our minds and think of ways how we can use our skills as Filipinos in leading in this era of technology?”
TheNet.com is the largest internet cafe chain in the country, with over 58 branches nationwide.
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