New QC curfew law penalizes lax parents, guardians

MANILA, Philippines–This curfew measure is harsh not on the minors who stay out late but on the grownups who let them.

The Quezon City government recently approved an ordinance making it illegal for parents or guardians to allow minors to loiter in the streets during so-called “disciplinary” hours.

The measure, introduced by Councilor Ranulfo Ludovica, was passed on third and final reading on June 30 and signed into law by Mayor Herbert Bautista on July 31.

Under the new ordinance, minors in Quezon City are prohibited in public places from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., while the parent or guardian of the curfew violator will be penalized for allowing the minor to go out during this period, either “knowingly or by insufficient control.”

A minor found violating the curfew for the first time will be referred to the nearest barangay (village) hall or police station. The parent or guardian will be fined P2,000 or be required to render community service for 48 hours.

For the second violation, the parent or guardian will be penalized with a fine of P3,000 or 72-hour community service. Third and subsequent violations carry a fine of P5,000 or a prison term of six months.

Minors who habitually violate the curfew will be turned over to the city social services development department for counseling.

Curfew exemptions will be allowed during emergencies, when the minor is accompanied by an adult, when the minor works in the nightshift or enrolled in evening class, or when the minor is attending an educational, religious and other similar official activities.–Erika Sauler