Ban on corporal punishment, Bucao measure sent to committees for study

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Vice-Mayor Alan Bucao’s ordinance that bans corporal punishment on children has been referred to the council committee on laws and the council committee on family, women and children.

The proposed measure, which the minority is opposing, makes it punishable for parents, teachers, nannies, housemaids and caregivers, foster parents, relatives and guardians, to punish children in a humiliating or degrading way, whether it’s physical or verbal.

“I will not force the issue. If they (the committees) think my ordinance is not fair, then they should come up with a committee report that is not favorable,” Bucao told reporters after their council session yesterday morning. 

But Bucao explained that the ordinance only promotes positive and non-violent discipline of children. He said even he himself was a victim of corporal punishment. 

“I was a victim of this corporal punishment kay paludhon gani ko sa akong mama og asin. Naka-affect gyud ni sa akoa. It affects my personality,” Bucao said.

He said he is pushing for the approval of this ordinance so that parents must learn to use positive discipline approaches to help children grow up better. 

Talisay City Councilors Valeriano Ylanan, Romeo Villarante, and Danilo Caballero oppose the proposed ordinance saying that it is not needed because of the existing national laws about child abuse. 

Ylanan, in a separate interview, said that it is also the right of a parent to discipline his children.

“Mahulog nga abusaran sa mga bata ang maong pagpasar sa ordinansa. Unsa man diay? Kuhaan nato og katungod atong mga ginikanan sa pag-disiplina sa ilang mga anak?” Ylanan said. 

If the proposed ordinance will be approved, it will be unlawful to beat, kick, hit, and slap a child with or without the use of an instrument like a cane, shoe, broom, stick whip or belt.

The ordinance also prohibits parents, teachers, nannies, housemaids and caregivers, foster parents, relatives and guardians from pinching, pulling the ears or hair, shaking, cutting and shaving the hair, piercing the skin, lifting, dragging or throwing a child.

It is also stipulated in the ordinance that any person found to have committed the prohibited acts shall be punished by imprisonment of not more than six months or fined not more than P5,000 or face both penalties, if the court orders it. — (FREEMAN)