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A computer shop or internet cafe is regulated mostly by its city or municipality. RA 9775 gives the LGU power to monitor and regulate internet cafes and kiosks to prevent child pornography violations, and many towns add their own ordinances. Miagao, Iloilo, for example, bans gaming computers within 200 metres of a school or religious institution, bars minors during weekday school hours and requires a 10 PM sign for minors.[1,2]
Computer shop prep list
- Ask the BPLO for your town's ordinance on computer shops and internet cafes
- Measure the distance to the nearest school and church before leasing
- Install content filters on every unit
- Print the 10 PM sign for minors and post it near the entrance
- Start a record book for minors on day one
- Set a rule for staff on checking IDs during school hours
Check the distance rule before you sign a lease
Miagao's code prohibits operating video machines or computers used for games within 200 metres of any educational or religious institution.[2]
This is one town's example, but other LGUs have similar rules. Before you pay a deposit, ask the zoning office or BPLO if your town has a distance limit, then measure from the nearest school, chapel and church. See our zoning clearance guide for that step.
Minors: the rules that close shops
Miagao's rules for computer rental shops show what inspectors look for:[2]
- No minors gaming from 7 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Friday, except school research with an ID and permission slip
- A record book with the name of every minor who uses a unit
- No minors staying after 10 PM
- A posted sign: "MINORS ARE PROHIBITED FROM STAYING BEYOND 10:00 P.M."
Why the city can inspect your shop
Section 12 of RA 9775, the Anti-Child Pornography Act, gives the city or municipality where an internet cafe or kiosk sits the authority to monitor and regulate it.[1]
Simple habits help when inspectors come: put content filters on every unit, arrange stations so the counter can see the screens, and keep the minors' record book at the counter, not in a drawer.
Questions people ask
- Can students use my shop during class hours?
- In Miagao, minors may not use computers for games from 7 AM to 5 PM on weekdays, except for school research. Your own town may have a different rule, so check its ordinance.
- Do I need an NTC registration for an internet cafe?
- The NTC rules cited on this page do not name internet cafes. If you plan to resell your connection to homes or other shops, ask the NTC regional office before you start.
- Who enforces internet cafe rules?
- RA 9775 places monitoring and regulation of internet cafes with the city or municipality where the shop is located.
Sources
Checked 13 November 2026. We link the agency's own page for every requirement. Rules change; confirm with the office before you pay.
- Republic Act No. 9775 (Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009) · Lawphil Project (Arellano Law Foundation) · 17 November 2009
- Child and Youth Welfare Code - Page 7 of 14 - Municipality of Miagao · Municipality of Miagao, Iloilo · 1 February 2012
The extra permits, in one table
| Permit or registration | Agency | When it applies | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location rule: no computer gaming establishments within 200 m of a school or religious institution[2] | LGU (example: Miagao, Iloilo) | where the LGU has such an ordinance (Miagao example) | not applicable |
| No minors during school hours (7 AM-5 PM weekdays) except for research with ID and permission slip; keep a record book of minors[2] | LGU (example: Miagao, Iloilo) | where the LGU has such an ordinance (Miagao example) | not applicable |
| No minors after 10 PM; post a 'Minors are prohibited from staying beyond 10:00 P.M.' sign[2] | LGU (example: Miagao, Iloilo) | where the LGU has such an ordinance (Miagao example) | not applicable |
Rules and exemptions
Selling rules that apply
- LGU monitoring and regulation of internet cafes/kiosks to prevent child…: RA 9775 gives the city or municipality authority to monitor and regulate internet cafes and kiosks to prevent violations of the Anti-Child Pornography Act[1]