BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – As this city prepares for the festive holiday season and the Dinagyang Festival on January 2025, the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) is set to implement a scheme covering minors on November 25.
While the “Revitalizing Reach-Out and Intensifying Program” enforces curfew hours for minors from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., its broader aim is to tackle the underlying causes of youth delinquency, according to Assistant CSWDO Officer Merlyn Gison.
Curfew violators often face deeper issues, she explained.
“They are not just children loitering aimlessly; some are victims of adult exploitation for criminal activities. This calls for thorough case management and intervention,” said Gison.
Rather than simply returning minors to their parents after apprehension, the program emphasizes comprehensive evaluations to determine why they are on the streets.
“Beyond enforcement, we look into family issues, peer influence, or other vulnerabilities that may drive their behavior,” said Gison.
Violators will also be required to perform community service as part of their rehabilitation.
Police Major Shiela Mae Sangrines, spokesperson for the Iloilo City Police Office, noted that while no organized youth gangs have been reported, informal groups of minors remain a concern.
“These groups are not as alarming as gangs but still need attention. We work with barangay officials, the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD), and social workers to address issues comprehensively and share best practices across districts,” Sangrines said.
Gison stressed the importance of parental accountability and that their program aims to provide lasting solutions and not just immediate discipline./PN
