Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro - Cafes lose P250-T in wake of raid reports:
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Cafes lose P250-T in wake of raid reports
By Ryan Rosauro
Ozamiz Correspondent
OZAMIZ CITY -- Around P250,000 in revenues from computer rentals and internet airtime were lost by Internet cafe operators here as they rushed to temporarily close shop after word spread authorities are rounding up establishments that are not using licensed operating systems software.
According to an officer of the local association of Internet shops, most of the cafe operators stopped operation since Friday afternoon until Monday.
He said relatives, friends, and fellow businessmen from Cotabato, Cagayan de Oro, and Iligan tipped them off about the joint operation of the Optical Media Board and National Bureau of Investigation.
Following the reported raids in other Mindanao cities, it was widely speculated that Monday was set for establishments here.
Around 100 Internet cafes operate in the city with an average of 12 units for rental, doing business for at least 10 hours a day.
Occupancy rate is estimated at 60 percent.
Those who opened shop were using Linux, an open operating system, but it cannot support a host of tasks like Internet gaming so business is low, a caf� owner explained.
Linux can only effectively support Internet chatting, he added.
In good faith
In light of this, the operators are asking government to help them obtain licensed operating systems software at a low cost in order for their business to continue without fear of legal sanctions.
'We entered this business and intend to continue with it in good faith and so we appeal to government to help us in this regard,' another officer"
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
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