The Mandaue City Council is pushing for a citywide awareness and monitoring campaign to help parents and guardians regulate minors’ access to gadgets, online games, and digital content following growing concerns over the possible influence of violent online material on children.
Draft Resolution No. 487-2026, filed by Councilor Raul “Kevin” Cabahug V on June 29, urges the City Social Welfare and Development Office, Mandaue City Police Office, City Health Office, and other concerned agencies to conduct information campaigns and encourage parents and guardians to closely monitor their children’s use of gadgets and online platforms.
The proposed measure follows the recent shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, where two minors were implicated in an incident that left three students dead and 20 others injured.
Initial police findings reportedly linked one of the suspects to the online game “GoreBox,” which has since been banned nationwide by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC).
According to the resolution, the incident has fueled broader discussions on the potential effects of violent online games and social media content on minors, particularly when access to graphic or violent material is left unrestricted.
The measure also cites provisions of the 1987 Constitution and the Local Government Code of 1991, which mandate local governments to promote public health and safety.
The resolution was co-authored by Councilor Fritz B. Villamor, chairperson of the Committee on Information and Communications Technology, and Councilor Jennifer A. Del Mar, chairperson of the Committee on Women and Family, reflecting a collaborative approach to addressing concerns involving technology, health, and child welfare.
Council members are also exploring stricter age-verification measures for social media and online gaming platforms, including the possible use of face verification to better confirm users’ ages.
Del Mar said the council is coordinating with the city’s Information and Communications Technology office to raise the proposal with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
“We are asking ICT to forward it (the resolution) to DICT, and perhaps DICT can find ways and means on how to connect with (different platforms),” Del Mar said.
Once adopted, copies of the resolution will be forwarded to the Office of the Mayor, the City Health Office, the City Social Welfare and Development Office, the Management Information Systems Office, and the Mandaue City Police Office for appropriate action.
The proposed resolution describes the initiative as part of the city’s continuing efforts to protect the welfare of minors and strengthen public safety, while aligning with the Philippine Development Plan’s goals on good governance and social protection.
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