Navotas closes 2 piso net shops for operating without permit, allowing entry of minors

Navotas closes down two piso net shops accepting minors as customers and operating without business permits. /Toby Tiangco Twitter

MANILA, Philippines — Two Piso net shops were ordered closed for operating without securing a business permit as well as allowing minors as customers, the city government said on Monday.

“You are hereby ordered to cease and desist from pursuing operation located at the above-mentioned address effective upon receipt, until such time that you have complied with the requirements set by this office,” read the closure order signed by Roberto Pascual, chief of Business Permit and Licensing Office.

In a tweet, Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco warned they would impose sanctions for businesses failing to follow the city laws.

“Ayaw po nating magpasara ng negosyo. Pero kung patuloy pong babalewalain at tahasang susuwayin ang ating mga patakaran na para naman sa ating kabutihan, wala po kaming magagawa kundi ipatupad ang nararapat,” he wrote.

(We don’t want to close businesses. But if you continue to violate our protocols, we have no choice  but to implement the law.)

In a text message to Inquirer, Navotas public information office chief Irish Cubillan said owners of the establishments were not arrested but were slapped with a P1,000 fine.

Tiangco also warned the guardians or parents of the children at the shop will face charges for failure of discipline and home quarantine of their children.

The mayor cited that so far, authorities shut down 45 computer shops and apprehended 1,187 minors and adults who violated the curfew. [ac]