A proposed ordinance authored by Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda seeks to prohibit minors from froaming or staying in public places during class suspensions caused by storms, floods, or other natural calamities to ensure their safety and prevent unnecessary exposure to danger.
According to the ordinance, once class suspension is declared, the curfew for minors under 16 years old begins immediately and lasts until the regular curfew begins, or continues the next day if the suspension is extended.
DUring the curfew, minors found loitering in public areas without valid reason or adult supervision will be apprehended.
Enforcement will be carried out by the city’s law enforcement agencies, the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD), barangay officials, and other authorized personnel.
Apprehended minors will undergo an intervention process. For the first offense, the minor will be endorsed for guidance counseling by the Council for the Protection of Children. A second offense will require the minor to undergo counseling facilitated by CSWDO at the Silungan Center. Further violations will warrant more structured interventions such as participation in community service programs.
Certain exemptions are recognized under the ordinance including minors accompanied by a guardian, those coming from school with proof, those using internet cafes strictly for academic purposes, or those seeking shelter during severe weather
Business establishments that permit unaccompanied minors during the curfew will face penalties, starting from fines to eventual revocation of their business permits upon repeated violations. To monitor compliance and assess effectiveness, the City Treasury Office is tasked with submitting an annual enforcement report to the City Mayor and the Baguio City Council.
The proposed ordinance was approved on first reading by the Baguio City Council on August 4, 2025 and was referred to the Committee on Laws and Governance for review. **Jordan G. Habbiling
