Curfew set on La Union minors

By JERRY PADILLA

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- Children who are below 18 years old, are now prevented from loitering and roaming around the city from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. City Mayor Pablo C. Ortega bared this Wednesday saying enforcement of the ordinance on the curfew was not a punishment, but protection for minors from bad elements.

"This is part of the efforts to boost the peace and order and public safety program of the city government," the mayor said. "We just want them safe during those hours." "There is already an ordinance approved by the provincial government, so it also applies to the whole province," said Francisco "Kit" Ortega Jr., senior city councilor, who attended the 1st La Union provincial command conference in his capacity as an ex-officio provincial board member.

City Ordinance 2002010 provides "minors, aged below 18, are prohibited from roaming and loitering in the territorial jurisdiction of the city from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. without justifiable reason and providing penalty of the violation thereof."

"In short, they are placed only under protective custody during those specific hours." It was clarified that they are not under arrest like criminals when they are caught in the street without any reason late at night. "This is to take them out of the harm’s way, as it is not punitive but more of rehabilitative," Ortega said.

The provincial government, he said, is also taking other steps such as consulting with every municipality in La Union, through the local officials, religious sector, policemen, teachers and the Parents-Teachers Community Associations to tap support and coordination for its province-wide enforcement.

Councilor Ortega said this is also to address the many complaints from parents and educators in the province who want to take disciplinary actions on children. Mayor Ortega said barangays can also take the minors into custody, and the children are to be released when their parents fetch them.

"This is implemented only Monday to Thursday, usually during schooldays, and so they can have fun on weekends," he said. The mayor also said that it is the right of children to have fun, but they should also be disciplined to go home early. Minors who are accompanied by their parents or elders who are in emergency situations are exempted from the curfew violation.

Also exempted are minors who are traveling to or from the city; those undertaking school-related activities or in recreational activities sponsored by the school; and those involved in emergency-related incidents. Also exempted from the curfew ordinance are minors who were issued passes from their local officials.

"Initially, they are given warnings," the councilor said, adding that the children, who are the principal targets of the ordinance, will render a community service as a penalty if they cannot pay the fines, so in that way they will learn how to be responsible. Policemen and barangay tanods were deputized to strictly enforce the ordinance.