BAGUIO CITY—The city council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance by Vice Mayor Edison Bilog, prohibiting the playing of the mobile application Pokemon Go and similar applications inside government offices, churches and while crossing pedestrian lanes and driving motor vehicles in the city.
Any person found violating the ordinance shall be fined P500 for the first offense, P1,000 for the second offense, and P1,500 for the third offense.
The proposed ordinance tasks the Baguio City Police Office, the heads and administrators of government offices and leaders and administrators of churches to ensure the strict implementation of the ordinance.
Since its launch in the country on August 6, many city residents have been hooked on the mobile application.
However, Bilog noted that the Pokestops are scattered throughout the city’s map, especially significant markers or important landmarks, including inside government offices, schools, and churches and even near pedestrian lanes, roads and streets.
He disclosed that work in government offices is disrupted when residents come not to transact business but to play the game, and government employees are likewise lured to the game.
Churches have also reported disturbance by players.
Bilog warned residents that using mobile phones while driving is prohibited as provided under the recently approved Anti-Distracted Driving Act, which defines distracted driving as making text or calls, and playing games, surfing the internet and watching movies.