EDITORIAL: ‘Discipline’ hours train minors to proper conduct

Imposition of curfew hours for minors, those below 18 years old, is becoming a trending in cities purposely to protect the younger population from danger or risks in open environment at late nights when they are supposed to be home. Curfew also deters crime when the youths are easy preys to vices, evil influences, and gangsterism which could lead to violence.

In Cotabato City, our Sangguniang Panlungsod passed Ordinance 4529 or the Discipline Ordinance of Cotabato City. The term “discipline” is used instead of curfew since the drafters consider the former as friendlier. Discipline hours, when approved by the city mayor, would run from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.

Discipline, other than academic connotation, is associated with development of character or indulging into a training that begets a positive pattern of behavior. It is likened to resisting street sub-culture where a youth may indulge into deviant acts because of influences or exposure to evil ways in the absence of parental or adult supervision. The minors are better off at home in the evenings for productive activities that could help develop the “self.” The family itself should be innovative to make the sibs productive rather than idle through the nights outside the home gates. Curfew in the long run when becoming integrative into lifestyle makes a person a disciplined social being as one values the essence of time. At home during curfew hours, the family itself becomes the “barkadas” with whom inter-personal relationship is blossomed.

In moments of discipline hours, the parents and/or guardians become the implementors of curfew as they regulate and check the movements of minors. Out in the open are the barangay governments supposed to look into the welfare of the youths by keeping them out of bad influences. Rigid enforcement of the curfew ordinance and no-nonsense execution of penalties for violation could help re-enforce discipline which begets positive pattern of behavior.

Let the discipline ordinance work than in letters only. We don’t want the minors to be the litters of society but rather the future of the fatherland. Discipline is a very positive value because it disposes an individual to proper conduct of behavior. (MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

        

DSA conducts clean-up drive

DISASTER PREVENTION & MITIGATION --- Mayor Bai Anida Dimaukom (standing, 6th from left) led the clean-up drive last October 11 as a way of giving back to the environment. (Mastura S. Tapa, Municipal Administrator, Datu Saudi Ampatuan - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

DATU SAUDI AMPATUAN (DSA), Maguindanao --- This municipal government  spearheaded last October 11 a clean-up drive in its three barangays --- Dapiawan, Madia, and Elian.

Mayor Bai Anida Dimaukom, who led the activity, said the clean-up drive is Phase II of the program after the local government previously conducted the same activity in other barangays of the town.

“We initiated the clean-up drive as our share in the preservation of the environment,” Mayor Dimaukom said.

The activity was participated by the municipal government employees and officials, the barangay government as well as personnel from the 2nd Mechanized Brigade, Philippine National Police, Department of Education, Integrated Provincial Health Office, and other agencies.

"We took this opportunity for us to clean our surroundings. This is our way of sacrifice to give back to the environment," the mayor said.

Among the activities conducted were street sweeping and the collection and segregation of wastes and garbage.

Mayor Dimaukom said she has urged the village chiefs in her town to conduct the same activity in their respective areas, calling on the constituents to integrate in their lifestyle the sanitation of the community and care of the environment. (GILMHAR A. LAO - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Pigcawayan mayor initiates barangay visitation

PIGCAWAYAN, North Cotabato --- As part of his administration’s program and leadership, Mayor Eliseo “Jun” Garcesa of this town is institutionalizing barangay visitation to personally witness the situation of these communities and conditions of the populace.

He started such visitation last October 10 in the farthest barangay, Kimarayag, where his administration dialogued with the folks.

               

“The people there are happy because, accordingly, it was the first time that a local chief executive has visited their barangay. I was joined by the different heads of agencies and we were warmly welcomed by the barangay leaders and the constituents themselves,” Mayor Garcesa said.

In their purok meeting, Garcesa said various concerns have been raised such as the road network and electrification, among others.

“Our visit is a big deal to bring clarity to the people on some issues like explaining why there are still areas that have not yet been reached by the North Cotabato Electric Cooperative, Inc. or COTELCO,” he said.

A COTELCO representative explained that cannot still pursue with the electrification at this point in time because “it did not meet yet with the minimum requirements.”

“Luckily, COTELCO assured to give them solar panels by early next year meantime that they don’t have power supply. But it’s coming too soon,” he assured.

In other endeavours, Mayor Garcesa said they are also eyeing to boost the tourism and economic potentials of the barangays. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

City SP approves ‘discipline’ ordinance

 COTABATO CITY --- The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of this city is set to impose "discipline" among Cotabateños with the approval on the third and final reading of Ordinance 4529, otherwise known as the "Discipline Ordinance of Cotabato City."

Councilor Japal G. Guiani III, who authored the ordinance, said they used the term “discipline” instead of curfew to make it friendly to the constituents of the city.

If signed or approved by Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, the version of the city’s curfew takes effect even with the lifting of martial law in Mindanao since the ordinance appears to be a long-term clause for the protection of minors.

"There is a need to formulate a course of action to protect the minors with due regard to their rights under existing laws. This ordinance is enacted to safeguard the minors from being victimized by criminal elements and instil discipline among them. It also aims to prevent minors from using illegal drugs, drinking intoxicating beverages, and other night-time vices," Councilor Guiani said.

Guiani said the ordinance imposes  “discipline hours” from 10 o’clock in the evening to 4 o’clock in the morning for persons below 18 years of age, whether resident or non-resident of Cotabato City.

"During discipline hours, no minors shall be allowed on the streets, in commercial establishments, recreation centers, malls, or any other areas outside the immediate vicinity of their residence," he said.

However, Councilor Guiani pointed out some exceptions: “When for justifiable reasons, the minor fails to reach his/her residence within the prescribed discipline hours; those Sangguniang Kabataan officials engaged in the performance of their official functions; those accompanied by their parents, family members of legal age or guardians upon proper verification; those running for lawful errands such as purchase of medicines, use of telecommunication facilities for emergency purposes and the like upon proper verification; and those students enrolled in evening classes and those who by reason of their employment are required to stay on the streets or outside their residence after 10 o’clock in the evening.”

"Provided that minors falling under these categories shall secure a certification from their punong barangay or school principal exempting them from the coverage of this ordinance, or present a document or identification proving their qualification under such category," the councilor stressed.

Further, the ordinance also covers a list of prohibited acts: selling and/or serving liquors and other intoxicating beverages to minors; serving and/or drinking liquor or intoxicating beverages in public places like parks, plazas, streets, and other thoroughfares, and in public or private cemeteries and in sari-sari stores or similar retail establishments; and selling, dispensing, and/or serving liquors or intoxicating beverages from 12 midnight until 7 in the morning.

As for the law enforcement aspect, Councilor Guiani said the Philippine National Police and all punong barangays, members of the Barangay Council, and the duly designated Barangay Tanods are authorized to implement the provisions of the ordinance.

In addition, violators of the “discipline hours” for minors shall be apprehended in accordance with the following guidelines: the apprehending official or officer shall, without unnecessary delay, notify the parents or guardians of the offender and release the offender on recognizance to said parents or guardians with the understanding that the parents or guardian shall be submitted to the punong barangay for the corresponding penalty under Section 8 of this Ordinance; in cases where the offender is not a resident of the barangay where the apprehension was made, during the determination of the identities and residence of the offender’s parents or guardian for purpose of their information and release of the offender to their custody, the offender shall be held in the holding facility of the barangay where the apprehension was made for not more than 24 hours, and thereafter  the release of the offender to his/her parents’ or; guardian’s custody cannot be reasonably accomplished, the punong barangay concerned shall turn over the offender to the custody of the Office on Social Welfare and Development Services for proper disposition; for an offender, who is homeless, abandoned, neglected, or has not known parents, relatives, or guardians, the apprehending official or officer shall refer the offender to the custody of the Office on Social Welfare and Development Services within 24 hours of apprehension.

Councilor Guiani said any offender or violator shall face the penalties. "For minors violating the discipline hours, when taking into custody, shall be subject to the enforcement procedure as prescribed by Republic Act No. 9344, otherwise known as the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act to 2006. Certain actions and fine shall also be imposed to the parents and/or guardians of minors violating the discipline hours."

Councilor Guiani stressed that the city Mayor may suspend the discipline ordinance during special public occasions upon the endorsement of the Cotabato City Police Office. (GILMHAR A. LAO - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Rajah Buayan supports children feeding program

Mayor Zamzamin L. Ampatuan

RAJAH BUAYAN, Maguindanao --- This local government has in its development agenda in pushing away malnutrition as it intensifies its campaign on the nutritional aspect of the children with the progressive intervention of support organizations.

Mayor Zamzamin L. Ampatuan said they are thankful to the United Nations’ World Food Programme (UN-WFP) for continuously supporting the feeding program of the children in their various elementary and primary schools.

“They’ve been doing this for eight years now and the municipal government is just so grateful on the support they have extended through the years,” Mayor Ampatuan said.

The mayor said the UN-WFP conducted a surprise visit to the schools last October 11, the purpose of which is to assess the implementation of the program on the ground.

“We are lucky because the UN-WFP helps us to focus more on the nutritional aspect of our children so they can perform better in school,” the mayor said.

The feeding program benefits children from grades 1 to 6.

“To date, we have listed at least 400 beneficiaries which cover our six elementary schools and five primary schools,” he said. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA-MINDANAO EXPOSE’ )

KEEPING WITH TRADITION

KEEPING WITH TRADITION --- Asnaira Taruyan (right) and Bhaikan Kamsa, both 14 and residents of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, demonstrate the traditional Iranun malong weaving during the Angat Dapat Social Fair last October 10 at the ARMM compound in Cotabato City.  (OMAR MANGORSI/ BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION – ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Senate approves 2018 ARMM budget in less than a minute

PASAY CITY --- The P33.569 billion budget for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for 2018 was approved by the Senate without much discussion and in less than a minute last October 11.

Senators present during the Senate plenary hearing did not raise any question which made the budget approval quick. No discussion took place between the ARMM executives and the senators.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said the speedy approval of the ARMM budget is a manifestation of the Senate's trust in his administration.

"Sa Senate finance sub-committee hearing pa lang, we received positive feedbacks na from our lawmakers. And this speedy approval in the Senate means they trust our administration," Hataman said.

The Senate finance sub-committee endorsed the budget proposal last September 18.

The budget also had a swift approval at the House of Representatives after it received support from the majority on September 12.

About P14.661 billion, or 43.8 percent of the total budget is allocated for personnel services. Another P14.042 billion, or 41.96 percent, is allocated for capital outlay, and the remaining P4.766 billion, or 14.24 percent, is for maintenance and other operating expenses.

Hataman added that the budget was formulated based on many considerations that include the ARMM Regional Development Plan, 2017-2022, which was anchored on the Philippine Development Plan, 2017-2022.

The Hataman administration's two banner programs will serve more target families and barangays in 2018.

Since it started, the ARMM's Bangsamoro Regional Inclusive Development for Growth and Equity (BRIDGE) has provided shelter, electricity, water, and food provision for 5,600 less privileged families across the region. 7,000 more families will benefit from the program in 2018.

The second program, ARMM-Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Security, and Synergy (ARMM-HELPS), aims at establishing a peaceful and secure environment in the region by providing basic social services, especially in relation to health, education, livelihood, good governance, and peace in the barangays.

Since 2014, there were 403 barangays that established their barangay peace centers, health centers, water facilities, day care centers, and livelihood centers and even housing projects. In 2018, the region sets to put up these infrastructures to 150 barangays region-wide.  (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION – ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

ARMM’s villages organize BADACs

COTABATO CITY --- Some 2,114 barangays in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have organized anti-drug abuse councils, which are aimed at preventing corruption, illegal drugs, and criminality at the community level.

Atty. Noor Hafizullah “Kirby” M. Abdullah, secretary of the ARMM’s Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the regional government fully supports national programs aimed at combating the illegal drug problem, especially at the barangay level.

The national office of the DILG earlier issued memorandum circulars for a unified action against illegal drugs among local government units (LGUs). Barangay officials should establish, reactivate, and/or strengthen anti-drug abuse councils, it noted.

The Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) is considered as the first line of defense against the proliferation of prohibited drugs in the community. It is composed of barangay officials and barangay sectoral representatives having first-hand information about the members of the community.

They are to work directly with the Philippine National Police (PNP), together with Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council or MADAC. The members of the BADAC are to plan, strategize, implement, and evaluate programs and projects on drug abuse prevention.

Ariel Castillo, barangay chief of Townsite in Maluso, Basilan whose BADAC is active, said this is a huge help in the community as it eliminates drug-related cases and ensures the safety of residents in his village.

Secretary Abdullah warned that barangay officials may face a complaint on dereliction of duty if they fail to organize a functional BADAC.

“All the barangays in the region must organize their anti-drug abuse council since they are the frontlines in the fight against the drug menace. Failure to do so is (tantamount to) violation of the law,” Secretary Abdullah added.

In an official statement, DILG OIC-Secretary Catalino S. Cuy called for LGUs to install drop boxes in their communities under its MASA MASID (Mamamayang Ayaw sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Iligal na Droga) project.

Secretary Cuy said setting up drop boxes is just one of the channels by which the public may provide feedback, comments, suggestions, or recommendations to the government on its anti-criminality drive for proper assessment and referral to appropriate agencies.

Other DILG and local government channels are: a hotline, electronic mail, short messaging system, or texts, among others. (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION – ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)