LAGAWE, Ifugao — Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos and Ifugao Governor Pedro Mayam-o are both giving President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-tambay (loitering) directive nationwide a thumbs-up, saying this is for the protection of the youth.
Marcos was the special guest during the “Gotad ad Ifugao” in Wednesday’s celebration of Ifugao’s 52nd foundation day. She said that while vagrancy and loitering have been decriminalized, there are local ordinances that could be used as the basis for the President’s directive.
She added that with the government’s anti-crime and illegal drugs efforts, it would be best for the youth not to be loitering around, so they won’t fall prey to criminals.
She cited that existing national laws that prohibit the sale of alcohol to minors are actually not being observed.
“Pag bartek na, malaking gulo talaga (Once they get drunk, big trouble really ensues),” Marcos remarked.
She also urged the newly-elected Sangguniang Kabataan or youth council to look into the issues of loitering and vices among youth.
“They should look into that–alcohol, vagrancy, and curfew,” she added.
Marcos also mentioned that teenage pregnancy could also be curbed by the anti-loitering drive.
“We know that despite the largely religious population, there is a large number of very young teenagers. This is a major health hazard as well as a moral issue,” she remarked.
For his part, Ifugao’s Mayam-o cited municipal ordinances in Ifugao mandating a curfew for minors from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
“I think the move is for the protection of our youth and this is beneficial for the youth of the country,” he said.
Mayam-o cited that in Ifugao’s celebration of its Gotad festival this year, the provincial government has banned the bingo game, karaoke in the public plaza, and other forms of gambling, which usually distract the youth.
“In our Gotad, we really intended to focus on our beautiful culture to showcase our indigenous games, our indigenous skills,” he said.
Duterte has issued a directive against loiterers or “tambays”, a move that has gained support from various local government units (LGUs), especially at the barangay level.
According to a text blast by the Philippine Information Agency-Cordillera, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año reported that the LGUs welcomed the President’s pronouncement.
“We have received a feedback from some LGUs, and they welcome this recent directive from the President, which they say is actually a big boost to their efforts to keep the communities crime-free,” the DILG chief said in a statement on Tuesday. (Liza Agoot/PNA)
