Bautista approves curfew for minors in QC

MANILA, Philippines - Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista has approved a measure that will prohibit minors from roaming around public places in the city from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

“Reports of barangay officials and law enforcement agencies reveal that minor children roaming around, loitering or wandering in the evening are the frequent personalities involved in various infractions of city ordinances and national laws,” the ordinance signed July 31 and released Tuesday said.

Based on the measure, no person under 18 shall be allowed to “roam around, loiter, wander, stay or meander in all public places during disciplinary hours – 10 p.m. every night up to 5 a.m. the next morning – whether singly or in groups without lawful purpose or justifiable reason.”

It also prohibits parents or guardians from allowing a minor to remain in public places in the city during the designated discipline hours.

The ordinance, which will take effect upon the release of its implementing rules and regulations, exempts minors who are in public places but are accompanied by their parents or guardians.

Guardians are defined as those who – under court order – appointed guardian of the minor, or someone at least 18 years old who are authorized by the parent to accompany the minor in a public place.

Also exempted from the measure are minor who are on their way to or from an activity of their school or organization wherein their attendance are required or otherwise indispensable. The measure also covers activities sponsored by the city, barangay, school or other civic or religious group.

Minors on board a vehicle with an adult are also exempted from the discipline hours. Also exempted are those who are engaged in authorized employment activity or are enrolled in evening classes.

The measure will use the enforcement procedure as prescribed by the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act of 2006 when taking in custody the minors who will be caught violating the disciplinary hours.

The procedure prescribes, among others, that the child be turned over to the social welfare development office, which shall explain to the child and his or her parents the consequences of the violation.

The ordinance sets penalties against the parents or guardian of the child who will violate the disciplinary hours. First offense merits counseling, and a fine of P2,000 or 48 hours of community service.

Parents and guardians of a child who will violate the measure twice will have to attend two counseling sessions, as well as be required to pay a fine of P3,000 or render 72 hours of community service.

A minor who will violate the measure thrice and every time after shall be turned over to the social services development department of the city, with his or her parents facing a fine of P5,000 or imprisonment of six months.

The measure also covers minors who are not Quezon City residents, but are apprehended violating the discipline hours inside the city’s territorial jurisdiction.

The ordinance was authored by second district councilor Ranulfo Ludovica, who noted incidents of minors flocking together at night to drink on the streets or even use illegal drugs, engage in troubles and other criminal activities.