Bohol town enforces curfew for minors
TAGBILARAN CITY – The town of Panglao in Bohol, one of the leading tourist destinations in the province due to its famous beach areas, will start this year with enforcing strict curfew rules for minors.
The town has two curfew ordinances passed in 1993 and in 2020 meant to ensure the “safety and well-being of minors” but both have not been followed, noted Arcay.
Based on Arcay’s executive order, minors may be exempt from curfew hours if they are doing legitimate errands, attending school activities, accompanied by parents or guardians, and during emergencies or other compelling reasons as determined by authorities.
The curfew shall not not apply during Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Holy Week and other significant celebrations that will be determined by the Sangguniang Kabataan.
According to Arcay, minors with errands or activities that extend to the curfew hours must secure a pass signed by the mayor and the municipal police chief.
Penalties
Police officers were instructed to enforce the curfew by conducting frequent patrols in the different parts of Panglao, which is known for its white sand beaches with a population of at least 41,000.
For the first offense, violators will be admonished. If the violator is again caught, there will be a dialogue between his or her parent/guardian and the municipal social welfare and development officers.
For the third and succeeding offenses, the curfew offender shall render community service to the barangay (village) where he or she resides with the supervision of social workers.
Since the curfew was strictly enforced after the New Year, “you can observe that the night is silent and you cannot hear people’s noise and loud muffler sound from motorcycles,” she said.
The Bohol Panglao International Airport, where its runway had become the venue for speed contests or illegal drag races held during late or early hours of the day, has become quiet during these unholy hours.
Residents in the area said the races, which were participated by some minors, had kept them awake and anxious.
“We cannot sleep. Almost all residents cannot sleep,” said Anthony, another resident.
Curfew, he said, have been helpful in ensuring the safety of the young people from behaviors such as drinking liquor, use of illegal drugs, promiscuity and violence.
Police Corporal Thomas Bucog of the Panglao Police Station said no minor was apprehended when the curfew was first implemented on Thursday.
He advised minors to continue adhering to the curfew rule to avoid being caught and for their own safety.
