Cebu City Solon Pushes Anti-Truancy Ordinance

A Cebu City legislator is pushing an anti-truancy ordinance that will prohibit minor students from loitering during class hours.

Councilor Gerardo Carillo said his proposed ordinance is similar to City Ordinances 1901 and 2060 which prohibit students in internet shops unless they can present written consent from school principal or guidance counselor to prove that their presence is for research and other school-related activity.

Carillo said his proposed ordinance would be an expanded version of the two existing ordinances to include malls, billiard houses, movie houses, and other public and private establishments.

“It is a standing policy in elementary and high school institution that students who have incurred more than twenty percent absences of the prescribed number of classes during the school year or term shall fail and earn no credit. In spite of this, truants or students can be seen loitering in public places and entering internet cafes, business establishments and playing video/computer games and billiards during school hours,” he said.

Carillo said the worst scenario is that some students are found to be involved in “prohibited activities.”

He said there is a need for the city government to adopt a truancy system for the “best interest of the students and parents.”

His proposed measure, also known as “Anti-Truancy Ordinance,” aims to “to protect the interest of the students for the peace of mind of their parents and guardians, by isolating them from the effects of societal ills that destroy their student life and their future, and also to control and prevent juvenile delinquency.”

Section 10 of the proposed measure provides sanctions for the violators.

For the students, they will be brought to their residence or barangay hall and will undergo counseling session.

For the parents, first time offenders will be required to attend parenting education seminar and subsequent offenses include a fine of PhP500 to PhP1,500 and/or render community service for not more than 36 hours.

Business establishment operators will also be penalized if found violating any provision of the ordinance. For the first offense, a fine of PhP2,000 to PhP3,000. For the second offense, PhP3,000 to PhP5,000 and/or imprisonment of not less than 30 days and one day but not more than six months at the discretion of the court.

For the third offense, same penalty of the second offense but may face business closure, including cancellation of and business permit.

The proposed measure applies to pre-schoolers, elementary, high school and college students under 18 years old enrolled in public and private schools in the city. (PNA) SCS/EB/PJN