By RUBY P. SILUBRICO
ILOILO City — Officials in the island province of Guimaras do not want minors roaming around during late at night and the wee hours of the morning.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) recently approved an ordinance imposing curfew among minors.
This way, the Provincial Board members said, they can be saved from possible exploitation and abuse by illegal drug traffickers and criminal gangs, among other lawless elements.
Under the ordinance, persons aged 18 years old and below are not allowed to loiter or roam around from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., unless they are with parents or guardians.
Those caught violating the ordinance will be held in the nearest barangay hall or police station.
Aside from promoting the minors’ “moral, spiritual, physical, and social well-being,” Provincial Ordinance No. 2014-01 aims to protect them from being used a “drug runners,” said SP member John Edward Gando, proponent.
According to Gando, the ordinance will also help prevent minors from getting involved in vices.
Minors who are attending night classes or school parties must present to the authorities their school identification card or a certification from their teacher, Gando said.
For his part, Gov. Samuel Gumarin of Guimaras believes that imposing curfew among minors will help a lot in ensuring the safety of children and keeping the province’s peace and order.
“If we have a curfew, minors will be discouraged from roaming around, so troubles can be avoided,” Gumarin said./PN
