The Sibulan Sangguniang Bayan has passed an ordinance to regulate the operation of Internet cafes in the municipality.

The move followed complaints about students and minors surfing the Internet and visiting pornographic websites during school hours.

Under the ordinance, Internet cafes are required to maintain a centralized user's log book and to make cubicles visible to the public.

Also, it prohibits students from patronizing Internet cafes during school hours except when the school requires them to do so.

Mayor Antonio Renacia, commenting on the measure, said it would protect the town's morals and the future of its children.

Renacia said the number of Internet businesses in the town is growing but their operation is uncontrolled.

He said the pornographic websites are eroding the Christian values leading to moral degradation and negative influences dangerous to the future of the town's future leaders.

Vice Mayor Antonio Paalan said the proliferation of pornographic websites in the Internet is difficult to control because of the system's communication technology.

The only way to address the concern, he said, was to regulate Internet operations, which is part of the social and moral responsibility of the Sangguniang Bayan.*RG

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