Penalties await parents of kids who violate curfew in Talisay

CEBU, Philippines - After Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas has urged the council to amend the city's existing curfew ordinance, Talisay City Vice Mayor Alan Bucao is now working on drafting the revisions.  Earlier in an interview, Gullas said he wants to put "teeth" on the ordinance that was approved back in 2002.

To recall, Bucao wants to strictly impose the said ordinance, adding that parents should be held responsible for the actions of their children.

The City council also sided with Gullas, saying that parents must also be penalized for violations against the curfew ordinance as it is their responsibility to discipline their young.

At present, councilors are now deliberating on the amendments to the ordinance, particularly on proper approaches and the proposed increase in the penalties assigned to parents for the violations.

Bucao also observed that some barangays do not pay serious attention to the curfew ordinance.  He said that for those officials who are not implementing the curfew ordinance in their respective barangays, their attention should be called and should even be required to also pay penalties.

Furthermore, Talisay City Chief of Police Superintendent Emerson Dante said that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) already assured their cooperation in terms of taking care of minor offenders after they have been apprehended by police.

Also, Talisay Association of Barangay Captains President Raul Cabañero said that the best solution to prevent gang war in the city is to conduct patrols beginning at 8 p.m. to warn the minors still out on the streets that curfew starts at 10 p.m. — Arvie Veloso (FREEMAN)