Bautista approves curfew for minors

MANILA, Philippines - Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista has approved an ordinance that will prohibit minors from roaming around public places in the city from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

“Reports of barangay officials and law enforcement agencies reveal that minor children roaming around, loitering or wandering in the evening are the frequent personalities involved in various infractions of city ordinances and national laws,” the ordinance signed July 31 and released yesterday read.

The ordinance was authored by second district Councilor Ranulfo Ludovica.

The curfew also covers minors who are not Quezon City residents, but are apprehended violating the curfew in the city’s territorial jurisdiction.

It also prohibits parents or guardians from allowing a minor to remain in public places in the city during the designated discipline hours.

The ordinance, which will take effect upon the release of its implementing rules and regulations, exempts minors who are in public places but are accompanied by their parents or guardians.

The measure will use the enforcement procedure as prescribed by the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act of 2006 when taking in custody the minors who will be caught violating the curfew.

The ordinance set penalties against the parents or guardian of the child who will violate the curfew. First offense merits counseling, and a fine of P2,000 or 48 hours of community service.

Parents and guardians of a child who will violate the measure twice will have to attend two counseling sessions, as well as be required to pay a fine of P3,000 or render 72 hours of community service.

A minor who will violate the measure thrice and every time thereafter shall be turned over to the social services development department of the city, with his or her parents facing a fine of P5,000 or imprisonment of six months.