Study curfew plan, Atienza urges council

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza has urged members of the City Council to conduct a thorough study on a proposed curfew for minors before implementation in the city’s six districts.

Atienza clarified that he is not against the imposition of a curfew as proposed by Councilor Julio Logarta Jr., but just wants the plan "to be studied very carefully and thoroughly."

"Let’s look at the bigger picture of the situation and hear the opinion of various sectors," Atienza said, explaining that the situation prevailing in one district may not be the same with the others.

The City Council had approved on second reading the plan to impose the curfew for minors. Logarta’s proposal only needs the council’s approval for the third and final reading before it can be implemented as a law.

In their respective reports, four City Council committees made no objection to the proposal.

The ordinance seeks to impose curfew hours in Manila, preventing persons 18 years old and below from roaming the streets from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

According to the committee on youth and sports development, Logarta’s ordinance would be a great help in instilling discipline, sense of propriety and moral responsibilities among the youth.

The curfew will prevent minors from drinking and gambling as well as protect them from lawless elements during the said hours. The committee on justice and human rights said the proposal "comes at a time when there is strong public clamor for government to stop drug abuse in the society." – Cecille Suerte Felipe