CAMIGUIN (PIA) -- To establish curfew hours that will lessen unwanted activities, the province of Camiguin strictly implements and adheres to Provincial Ordinance No. 2024-29, which sets the discipline hours for minors and nonresidents from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

“With this ordinance, mapasigurado gayud nato nga atong mga anak naa na gayud sa atong tagsa-tagsa ka mga balay or under na sa supervision, whether sa parents, sa guardian, or any responsible nga adult during late hours,” said Provincial Board Member Christina T. Loquias.

(With this ordinance, we can make sure that our children are in our respective homes or under the supervision of parents, guardians, or any responsible adult during late hours.)

Task Force Disiplina Officer Patrick Glenn Dael explained in a radio program interview that the implementation of the ordinance is a call for action to social issues including ‘adolescent pregnancies,’ MVA, or ‘motor vehicle accident’ for minors, and other potential crimes that can influence or involve minors 17 years old and below. 

 He said there is a need for police intervention or provincial command. “For the uniformity of enforcement, magtapok ang pulis, provincial command as well as mga municipal stations, and the deputized barangay members,” Dael said.

(To ensure consistency in enforcement, the police, provincial command, municipal stations, and deputed barangay members will come together.)

Informing the parents regarding their minors is the first thing they will do, Dael added. In the event that the task force officers cannot locate the parents or the minors’ guardian, that’s when the barangay council comes in, as they are more familiar with handling minors with the utmost care. 

Dael noted that while the provincial ordinance imposes stringent and obligatory curfew regulations, there are provisions for exceptions. One such exception occurs when a minor is with their parents or legal guardian.

Additionally, if a family member or household member provides the minors with emergency medical care or treatment, the curfew does not apply.

If there are emergencies in the area, such as disasters, natural calamities, and similar situations in the area, minors are also exempt from the curfew.

Moreover, minors are allowed within curfew hours if their classes are dismissed right before or during the discipline hours, as mentioned earlier by Loquias.

If there is authorized employment and they are also attending an official or sanctioned activity within schools, churches, or religious organizations, curfews for minors are waived. 

"Much better jud, labi na nga halosa mga badlungon diri ron kay mga batan-on. And gakadaghan na pud teenage pregnancy diri karon," said Rhean dela Plaza, a resident of Mambajao.

(It's much better, especially since most of the bad guys here are young people. And there are many teenage pregnancies here now.)

With the implementation of the mandatory curfew hours, or the so-called ‘disciplined hours,’ the province of Camiguin hopes for a safer and more orderly environment for nonresidents and minors. (MGAB/PIA-10)