Tag: Southeast Asia

Recently in the City of Muntinlupa, the City Government approved a key ordinance designed to protect children from violence, neglect, discrimination and abuse, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Muntinlupa City government approved an ordinance providing protection to children against abuse, violence, neglect and discrimination.

City Ordinance No. 2024-280, or the Muntinlupa City Child Protection Policy Ordinance, passed by the Muntinlupa City Council, was signed into law by Mayor Ruffy Biazon.

“Children appear to be neglected of the proper care and guidance, education and moral development that made them fall into the trap of exploitation, drug addiction and became an easy prey of abuse and oftentimes at risk of committing various criminal offenses,” according to the ordinance.

It added that “children are susceptible to different forms of social opportunism taking advantage of their credulity and gullibility, oftentimes have no means to speak out against violence, neglect, exploitation and abuse.”

“Children, especially those who are marginalized, vulnerable and under-represented, must be provided with utmost protection from all forms of violence against children, the best interest of the child in all aspect is foremost the consideration in the promotion of public welfare,” it explained.

Under Section 4 of the ordinance, it is ensured that children are “entitled to the basic rights herein provided regardless of her/his race, color, sex, language, religion, political, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status.”

For children in schools, the ordinance mandates that “teachers and learning facilitators shall have a standard system of reporting, referrals, recording and evaluation on all cases of child abuse, violence, exploitation, discrimination, and other acts of child abuse in all primary and secondary schools in Muntinlupa City using as bases the DepEd Circulars.”

“Furthermore, teachers, school administrators and other individuals engaged In childcare are mandated by law to exercise Special Parental Authority over the child while under their custody, instruction and supervision. Accordingly, they shall exercise a rigid stance against all forms of child abuse, violence and discrimination,” it added.

It also mandates that children below 15 years old will not be employed by business establishments “unless such employment is exempt under Section 2 of R. A 9231 otherwise known as ‘An Act providing for the elimination of the worst forms of child labor and affording stronger protection for the working child.’”

The ordinance also promotes that “children shall be discouraged and/or prohibited from entering malls, places of hospitality such as hotels, motels, inns and any other business establishments and Enterprises in Muntinlupa City during all time that they are expected to be in school or during school hours except after school hours, in the company of his/her parents or legal guardian for the purpose of securing pertinent documents, identification documents, identification cards, and other relevant documents provided that such office/s are stationed in malls or in the business or commercial establishments.”

It directs all business establishments and enterprises in Muntinlupa to “develop, formulate, and promulgate their own respective child protection policies and protocols in consonance to the policies herein set forth, adaptive to a system of prior risk assessment, referral, reporting, recording and evaluation of all cases of abuse, violence, exploitation and discrimination of children.”

The ordinance also mandates the Bahay Pag-asa of Muntinlupa, which takes care of Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL), to “formulate its own child protection policy for children below fifteen (15) years of age or above fifteen but not more than eighteen (18) years of age who have been charged in court or is undergoing trial for the commission of a crime, and is currently under the rehabilitation and diversion program of the Social Services Department, through the Bahay Pag-asa, or is otherwise undergoing community intervention program.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you happy that the City Government approved the ordinance to protect local children?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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