Pangasinan town bans corporal punishment

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines – The municipal council here has approved an ordinance prohibiting corporal punishment for children.

The ordinance promoting the positive discipline of children, authored by Councilor Ma. Andrea Meneses, was passed last month.

Beating, kicking, hitting, slapping, lashing, pinching, pulling the ears or hair, shaking, twisting joints, cutting and shaving of hair and dragging a child are prohibited acts under the ordinance.

Also prohibited are forcing a child to hold weights for an extended period; kneeling on salt, seeds, stones or pebbles; and exposing a child to water, pepper, alcohol and other dangerous or unhygienic substances.

Violators shall be punished with a reprimand and counseling on the first offense, a fine of P500 and counseling on the second offense, and a P1,000 fine aside from counseling on the third offense.