Lapu-Lapu, Talisay welcome curfew for minors

Paz Radaza

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza wants her barangay captains to make sure that the city’s curfew, anti-drunkeness and videoke ordinances are implemented to instill discipline on her people and lessen criminality in her city.

She said that only very few of the city’s 30 barangays are implementing the three ordinances passed during the administration of her husband and former mayor Arturo Radaza.

The curfew ordinance was passed in March 2009 while the videoke ordinance was passed in February 2002. The city’s anti-drunkeness ordinance was also passed about the same time.

Radaza said that since curfew implementation and the prohibition of drinking in public places are on top of the priorities of presumptive President Rodrigo Duterte, Lapu-Lapu barangay officials should also exert effort to make sure that the three city ordinances are implemented.

City Ordinance No. 179-2009 prohibits minors to wonder, stray, saunter, loiter or ramble on any public road, park, plaza, wharf, public market, beach, disco pub, karaoke bar or any other public places between 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Parents of minors caught for the violation of the curfew ordinance are asked to pay a fine of P1,000 for the first offense and P2,500 for the second offense. The third offense is punishable with imprisonment of five to 20 days depending on the discretion of the Court.

The city’s videoke ordinance prohibits loud noise after 10 p.m. and imposes fine of P5,000 and/or imprisonment of five days against any violators and the confiscation of the videoke machine.

The anti-drunkeness ordinance prohibits drinking of liquor in public places and imposes a P500 fine or community service against any violator.

In Talisay City, Supt. Germano Mallari, head of the Talisay City Police Station, also expressed support on Duterte’s plan to impose a 10 p.m. curfew on minors.

But Mallari expressed worry on where they would put minors rounded up for the violation of the city’s curfew ordinance.

During its earlier implementation, minor offenders were temporarily placed at the Talisay City Sports Complex which served as their holding area.

Mallari wanted the ordinance reviewed prior to its re-implementation. He also wanted the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to identify a more suitable holding area for minors.

The police chief also wanted a provision added to the ordinance to allow the filing of a court case against parents of the minor offenders, who are repeatedly rounded up for the violation of the ordinance.

Talisay City’s curfew ordinance prohibits minors from loitering or staying outside their houses from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Exemptions apply on certain occasions, such as commencement exercises and convocations, religious and educational programs, barangay or city fiestas, Holy Week devotions, All Saints Day and All Soul’s Day, and Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Violators of the ordinance are made to pay a fine of P50 for the first offense or render a four-hour civic work under DSWD supervision for those who cannot afford to pay the amount.

The violators parents or guardians are then summoned to appear at the barangay hall so they can be reminded of their responsibilities on the apprehended minor.

A bigger penalty of P100 or eight-hours of civic service is imposed on the second offense.