Navotas drafts new child-friendly curfew ordinance

A councilor has filed a measure pushing for a curfew for minors in Navotas City after the previous ordinance was declared void by the Supreme Court in September.

In proposed City Ordinance No. 2017-23, minors are banned from going out between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., with their parents or guardians facing penalties.

In September, the Supreme Court declared the curfew ordinance of Quezon City valid but struck down that of Manila and Navotas for lacking safeguards to protect the constitutional rights of minors.

As a remedy, the ordinance author, Councilor Ethel Arriola, said they patterned the new ordinance after Quezon City’s, modifying some provisions.

These include additional exemptions such as minors attending activities related to school, politics, socialization or religion.

Also exempted are those attending parties or other celebrations, as well as minors running errands or doing chores. —Krixia Subingsubing