Teenagers and children would be kept off the streets during late hours under a nationwide curfew bill pending approval by the House of Representatives.
The House committee on welfare of children approved last week a substitute bill mandating curfew for minors 18 years old and below to prevent them 鈥渇rom becoming vulnerable to the negative influences of street life.鈥�
Under the proposed 鈥淯nsafe Hours for Children Act,鈥� the curfew would be in effect during 鈥渦nsafe hours鈥� and in 鈥減ublic places鈥� from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Many cities in the Philippines already impose curfews on minors, but the House bill would make it a national policy.
Besides keeping the youth safe, the bill 鈥渋ntends to reduce the opportunities when children can be used as instruments of crime.鈥�
The bill would penalize parents, or legal guardians, who 鈥渒nowingly or by insufficient control鈥� allow their children to 鈥渓oiter, roam, meander or sleep鈥� in public places from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. 鈥渨ithout lawful purpose or justifiable reason.鈥�
Fine of up to P1,000 or community service for five to 10 days, or both, shall be imposed on parents or guardians of children who violate the curfew for the third and succeeding offenses.