During school hours dad wants students banned from stores

CEBU, Philippines - An ordinance that prohibits students from lingering in entertainment places and business establishments during school hours is now being pushed in the Provincial Board.

Under the proposed policy called the “Cebu Provincial Anti-Truancy Ordinance,” parents or guardians, school authorities and business establishments will be penalized if found violating the local legislation by “knowingly permitting” or “insufficient control allowing the students to loiter, linger or stay in any business establishments” within the province during school hours.

If a student or pupil is caught violating the same ordinance, he or she would be subjected to a counseling session together with the parents.

However, if the parents violate, a fine of not more than P1,500 and/or not more than 36-hour community service would be imposed against them, but just after the imposition of the first offense, which is subjecting them to counseling.

As to the business establishments, operators would be fined P2,000 to P3,000 in the first offense. The establishment will also face automatic closure with its permit cancelled in the third offense, as stated on the draft of the proposed ordinance.

Business establishments referred to in the ordinance include internet cafes, computer shops, video shops, billiard halls, movie houses and other entertainment establishments.

A Truancy Board will be created to help in the enforcement of the ordinance and would deputize officials of all component cities municipalities, barangay captains, barangay tanods and school officials as action officers.

A public hearing was held yesterday for the proposed ordinance, which is now set for second reading in PB.

Board member Miguel Antonio Magpale, the proponent, said the ordinance applies to students in elementary and secondary levels.

“By having this ordinance, mora’g sala na ang dili moeskwela ba. Well, beneficial sa estudyante kay kung magtarong ka’g eskwela, it’s for the progress sa imong kinabuhi. There are other students man gud who do not appreciate the value of education and do not look forward too much into the future,” said Magpale. He will meet business sector representatives to tackle the provisions of the ordinance.

During the public hearing, a provision of the ordinance penalizing the students and pupils by imposing fines was ordered removed by the Children’s Legal Bureau for violating the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.

Marcial Degamo, Department of Education-7 Quality Assurance Division chief, backs up the local legislation, saying this would help reduce the dropout rate in students.  (FREEMAN)