Council body calls for submission of papers on children welfare code

THE Cagayan de Oro City Council committee on social services encourages concerned agencies to submit their respective position papers on the proposed amendment of Ordinance No. 10536-2007, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Children’s Welfare Code of the city.

This developed after the committee, in coordination of the City Social Welfare and Development Department (CSWD), convened with different sectors to gather proposals and suggestions on the matter.

One of the provisions up for amendment is Section 37 on Curfew Hours for Children.

The ordinance provides that no person below 15 years old shall roam, wander around, standby or loiter in around market places, restaurants, cafes, bars, nightclubs, cocktail lounges, massage clinics, beer houses, plazas, parks, recreation halls, and all other similar establishments, after 10:00 pm and before 5:00 am, except however, on the eve of the town fiesta, Charter Day and other local holidays for the city, Christmas, New Year, All Souls Day, All Saints Day, Good Friday, Holy Thursday up to the Resurrection day or those who have just attended in and are going home from school classes, civic or religious gatherings or social occasions.

According to Teddy Sabuga-a of CSWD, this provision is also indicated in the Parental Responsibility Code of the city, specifically Section 8(p) which was recently approved by the City Council.

He said the curfew hours for children may be referred to the Parental Code where parents are more responsible for their children.

Sabuga-a cited that a child cannot be penalized for violating curfew hours.

“Dili ma penalize ang bata kay walay criminal liability, so ang parents naang liable niini,” he said.

He also suggested that Curfew Hours be changed to Protected Hours for Children.

Councilors Maria Lourdes Gaane and George Goking were also present during the meeting. (sp)