[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’Rein in kids or face raps, parents told’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=’custom’ color=’#0a0a0a’]
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=’custom’ color=’#0a0a0a’]
ILOILO City – The city government’s Task Force on Morals and Values Formation (TFMVF) will hold liable the parents or guardians of youngsters violating Regulation Ordinance 2011-676 (curfew for minors).
This is the new strategy, announced task force chief George Duron during a meeting with parents, barangay captains, social welfare and police officers.
First and second offenses will merit a warning but for third and succeeding violations of the curfew ordinance, charges will be filed against the parents or guardians, said Duron.
The curfew aims to shield youngsters from illegal activities, he explained to the parents.
“Under the Family Code, parental authority shall be jointly exercise by husband and wife,” Duron pointed out.
He also urged barangay officials and tanods of their duty to enforce the curfew ordinance.
“Barangay officials are persons in authority. They have to enforce the law or they will face administrative sanction for neglect of duty,” said Duron.
Wayward teens are becoming a growing problem for the city police. A strict implementation of the curfew for minors may avert gang wars but the cooperation of parents is needed, said Senior Inspector Shella Sangrines, city police spokesperson.
The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) counted at least 25 youth gangs and most of their members were minors or those below the legal age of 18.
The city ordinance imposing curfew for minors has not been properly enforced. It is principally for unescorted minors and aims to minimize incidents of crime involving juveniles.
Under the ordinance, minors are prohibited from loitering beyond 11 p.m. in restaurants, nightclubs, motels, dancehalls, amusement places such as Internet cafes, video arcades, karaoke bars, billiard halls, beach resorts and other similar establishments.
One district where minors are fond of staying out late at night is the bustling Mandurriao where the popular entertainment complex Smallville is located.
Under the curfew ordinance, minors are also prohibited from selling or vending whatever items (including food and beverages) even with the presence of their parents or guardians, and its shall be unlawful for any business establishments to admit and allow minors within their premises during the curfew hours (which lasts until 4 a.m.).
Any business establishment violating the ordinance shall be meted with sanctions: first violation, written notice of warning; second violation, imposition of a P5,000 fine; third violation, closure of the establishment for three days; fourth offense, closure of the establishment for five days; and fifth violation, revocation of business permit.
Minors caught violating the curfew, on the other hand, will be turned over to the City Social Welfare and Development Office, which in turn will be responsible in returning the youngsters to their parents or guardians./PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
