CAMIGUIN Island takes a firm step to ensure the safety of its youth by implementing a new curfew ordinance.
The local government has enacted Provincial Ordinance No. 2024-29, which mandates curfew hours from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. for minors and nonresidents.
“With this ordinance, we can ensure that our children are safely at home or under the supervision of a responsible adult during late hours,” Board Member Christina T. Loquias stated.
She said the policy aims to curb negative influences and activities that could harm young people in the community.
Patrick Glenn Dael, an officer of Task Force Disiplina, emphasized the need for the ordinance during a radio program interview.
He cited concerns such as adolescent pregnancies, motor vehicle accidents involving minors, and other potential crimes.
“To ensure consistent enforcement, the police, provincial command, municipal stations, and deputized barangay members will work together,” Dael explained.
The task force’s initial step is to inform parents about the whereabouts of their minors.
If parents or guardians cannot be located, the barangay council will step in to assist, given their expertise in dealing with minors respectfully and effectively.
Dael pointed out that the ordinance, while strict, allows for certain exceptions.
These include instances when minors are with their parents or legal guardians, during emergencies requiring medical attention, and in the event of natural disasters or calamities.
Furthermore, the curfew is lifted for minors who are out late due to school dismissals that coincide with the curfew hours, or if they are engaged in authorized work, school-related, or church-sanctioned activities.
Local resident Rhean dela Plaza supports the curfew, noting, “It’s much better, especially since most troublemakers here are young, and there’s a rise in teenage pregnancies.”
Camiguin’s curfew is not just about keeping kids off the streets at night but also about fostering a safer and more orderly environment for all.
With the ‘disciplined hours’ in effect, the province hopes to see a positive change in the community’s safety and quality of life. (MGAB/PIA-10)
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