Makati launches curfew ordinance info drive
A city-wide information campaign on Makati City’s new curfew ordinance has been ordered to ensure that constituents fully understand its provisions.
The newly-enacted City Ordinance No. 2017-098 or the Child Protection Ordinance of the City of Makati prescribes curfew hours in the city from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. daily for children below 18 years old and those of legal age but have a mental handicap or learning disability.
“I have directed the Liga ng mga Barangay to spearhead the information drive and coordinate with the concerned city government offices to ensure that residents, barangay officials and deputized enforcers fully understand the ordinance,” Makati Mayor Abigail Binay said.
She added that major provisions of the ordinance will be explained in simple language in community meetings, leaflets and newsletters, and through infographics and videos posted on My Makati Facebook page and Makati portal (www. makati.gov.ph), among others.
Among the provisions that will be emphasized in the information drive are the list of public areas declared as off-limits to minors during curfew, protocols in handling rescued minors, and the penalties the ordinance imposes on the parent or guardian of a rescued minor.
The newly passed ordinance, which amends Section 8.5 of “The Makati City Child and Youth Welfare Ordinance” (City Ordinance No. 2004-A-017), declares it unlawful for a parent or guardian to knowingly permit or allow a child to remain in any public place within the city during curfew hours (10 p.m to 4 a.m.).
This includes streets, highways, roads, sidewalks, parking lots, vacant lots, parks, alleys, playgrounds, curbs, gutters, driveways, walkways, and public buildings.
Also off-limits to children during curfew hours are common areas in and around churches, apartment buildings, office buildings, hospitals, schools; shops and places of entertainment such as computer shops, Internet café, movie theaters and similar places or establishments; and places of amusement and dining places, whether inside or outside a motor vehicle, or other unsupervised places.
The ordinance provides valid exceptions to curfew hours, such as when the child is accompanied by his or her parent, guardian, or other adult person having care and custody over the child, provided that the child is not being used for any crime or illegal activity.