To assist law enforcers maintain peace and order on the streets, the Quezon City Council has proposed an ordinance imposing curfew hours for minors aged 17 years old and below.

Authored by Councilors Jaime Borres, Alexis Grace Matias and Ricardo Belmonte Jr., the proposed measure seeks to impose a night-time ban for minors from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. the following morning.

Borres said the proposal seeks to prevent youngsters from engaging in prostitution, robbery, drug abuse, vandalism and other forms of illegal acts.

The ordinance calls for standardized curfew for minors within Quezon City with appropriate penalties and sanctions being imposed on violators.

In Section 8 of the proposal, Borres said the ordinance penalizes the parents or guardians of the minor offenders for gross negligence in rearing their children properly.

“It is very alarming to note that more and more teenagers are involved in crimes. The situation calls for drastic action before it’s too late.

Karamihan din na pagala-gala sa dis oras ng gabi ay nalululong sa masasamang bisyo gaya ng pagdrodroga. Datirati ay mga binatilyo lamang ang mga gumagala ngunit ngayon parami na ng paraming mga dalagita ang kasangkot at miyembro na ng mga gang,’’ Borres said.

Initially, the parents or guardians of first-time youth offenders would undergo counseling. They would undergo further counseling plus a fine of P200 for the second offense.

For third time offenders, they will be fined P300 and be asked to undertake five days of community or socio-cultural services in the barangay where the offense was committed.

Fourth-time offenders will be fined P500 and be required to undergo another five days of community service in the barangay where the offense occurred.

The youth offenders from the time they are taken into custody are protected under the proposed ordinance’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

Borres said the apprehending personnel should inform the minors in simple language the reason for their apprehension while informing them of their rights in a language they can fully comprehend.

Before or during the apprehension, the enforcer should present proper identification while conducting the procedure in the most humane manner devoid of the use of foul language and profanity.