Manila, Philippines - A Quezon City councilor has filed a proposed ordinance seeking to require parents to send their children to school or be fined or jailed.
Councilor Ranulfo Ludovica said providing for the education of children is one of the primordial duties of “parents.” He said the term also covers guardians or relatives who have custody of children.
He said Section 13 of Republic Act 7610 (the anti-child abuse law) as amended by RA 9231 (the anti-child labor law), explicitly provides that “no child shall be deprived of formal or non-formal education.”
“Poor families can also afford to enroll their children because the Quezon City government is now offering and providing livelihood opportunities and assistance,” Ludovica said.
These include starting capital for business enterprise through the Sikap Buhay Entreprenuership and Cooperative Office; trainings and seminars through the Social Services and Development Department; and other forms of employment through the Public Employment and Services Office, he said.
Ludovica warned that the negligence or willful refusal of poor parents to send their children to school may not only contribute to the increase in the numbers of out-of-school youths, but possibly expose the youth to child abuse, exploitation, discrimination and other conditions prejudicial to their development.
“With less guidance from the parents, the out-of-school youth can be easily lured or forced into drug addiction, criminal activities, child prostitution, or into joining misguided fraternities and other nefarious activities which may eventually lead to other social problems,” he added.