The City Council is urged to study possible incentives for private internet cafés willing to operate 24 hours, under strict regulations and safeguards.
Proposed by Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, chairperson of the Committee on Finance, Ways and Means, and Appropriations of the City Council of Davao, the central idea of the proposal is to leverage existing private internet cafés to serve as safe, supervised, and accessible learning centers for Davao City’s students, especially during nighttime.
Dayanghirang emphasized that this would be accomplished through a partnership where the city government of Davao provides incentives to participating businesses.
“If the Local Government Unit (LGU) can provide tax holidays, reduced regulatory fees, or other incentives, then we can encourage these establishments to operate responsibly and in partnership with the city. Imagine a Davao where 24-hour internet cafés are not just gaming hubs but supervised learning centers, offering discounted rates for students who show school IDs, or providing safe spaces where online research and digital learning thrive,” he said.
Dayanghirang pointed out that the advantages of incentivizing internet cafés are likewise significant, such as promotion of digital literacy and broadening access to knowledge, creating more economic activity by supporting local entrepreneurs, and providing employment opportunities for café staff operating on night shifts.
Dayanghirang highlighted that by providing flexible, 24/7 access to study facilities, the city can align its local educational opportunities with the demands and pace of the global economy and modern work environment.
“The call of our time is not merely to protect, but to empower our youth with opportunities that shape their character, their skills, and their future. By allowing 24-hour access to safe learning spaces, we balance the need for discipline with the vision of progress,” Dayanghirang said.
