By Dominic B. dela Cruz, Staff reporter
LAOAG CITY—The city government of Laoag has adopted and
institutionalized the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) “Safer
Cities Initiative” to strengthen public safety, order and decency in public
spaces.
The nationwide initiative calls on local government units to
enact and strictly enforce community safety measures. Laoag City Vice Mayor and
Sangguniang Panlungsod presiding officer Rey Carlos Fariñas, who authored the
measure, said it is timely amid recent violent incidents in schools involving
minors.
He said measures such as curfew enforcement, noise regulation and
public decency standards can help prevent disturbances and promote a safer
environment for residents and visitors.
Under the measure, existing city and provincial regulations on
curfew, excessive noise and public drinking will be harmonized and
strengthened.
Minors 17 years old and below are prohibited from loitering,
roaming or staying in public places from 10 pm to 4 am, except in specified
circumstances such as emergencies, employment, school, religious or civic
activities, and fiesta celebrations when accompanied by parents or guardians.
The use of videoke, karaoke and similar amplified sound devices
will be permitted from 8:30 am to 10 pm Sundays through Thursdays, and until 11
pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Government-sanctioned activities, licensed
establishments operating within their premises, and certain cultural and
traditional events are exempt, subject to applicable regulations and noise
standards.
The measure also prohibits the consumption of liquor and
intoxicating beverages in public streets, sidewalks, plazas, parks and other
public open spaces. Exceptions include permitted private or civic events held
in designated venues and licensed restaurants, bars and other establishments
where drinking is confined to their premises.
Public indecency is likewise prohibited in areas including the
public market, government offices, educational zones, transport hubs, parks,
plazas and places of worship. Exceptions are provided for athletes, workers
whose occupations require appropriate work attire, cultural performers, and
people engaged in recreational activities in designated facilities.
Violators face a PHP1,000 fine for the first offense, PHP3,000
for the second offense, and PHP5,000 for the third and succeeding offenses, or
imprisonment of up to one year, or both, at the discretion of the court.
Fariñas said the ordinance institutionalizes measures intended to
strengthen civic discipline, protect young people, reduce disturbances and
promote peace and order.
Implementation will involve the Laoag City Police Station,
Department of Public Safety, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Council, barangay officials, City Social Welfare and Development Office and
deputized enforcers, in coordination with the City Mayor’s Office.
The Laoag City Peace and Order Council will regularly review the
ordinance’s implementation and recommend improvements to the Sangguniang
Panlungsod.
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