By Ruel Saldico and Nino N. Luces NAGA CITY, Camarines Sur - Mayor John Bongat of Naga City signed an executive order on Friday, ordering all school administrators or principals in public elementary and high schools in the city to ban the use of electronic gadgets during class hours. (PIXABAY / MANILA BULLETIN) In his EO No. 2019-010, Bongat said that the use of smartphones and other electronic gadgets will not be allowed inside the classrooms during class hours unless allowed by the concerned teacher for educational purposes. "It has come to the attention of the City Government of Naga that there are students in public and private elementary and high school in the City of Naga who are bringing their electronic gadgets like cellular smartphones, tablets and similar gadgets inside their classrooms and use the same during class hours. These actions by the students are often times disruptive to other students their classrooms learning process and activities because they engaged in computer and online games and use Facebook, Youtube, etc, instead of listening to their teachers," Bongat said in his executive order. Bongat stressed that the executive order was in response to complains raised by some parents about the grades of their children. "While we embrace the tremendous benefits of the advancement in information and communication technology especially in facilitating learning processes of today's students, we are also cognizant of the detrimental effects of its unrestrained use or abuse particularly to their studies and discipline, and jeopardizes the conduciveness of schools overall learning environment," he said. Bongat's E.O. stated that students should keep their gadgets inside their bags and on silent mode while inside the classrooms and while lessons are on going, or in lockers provided by the private schools concerned at the expense of PTA. In public schools, the city government will provide lockers.