Manila Mayor Moreno warned irresponsible parents who neglect their children amid the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that they will face charges.
The City of Manila will charge parents whose children will be caught violating the ordinance on curfew and not following the proper way of wearing face masks. Many minors have been seen committing said offences.
“Let’s start jailing irresponsible parents. I don’t mind kung mapuno ang ating mga kulungan ng mga pabayang magulang (if the cells will be cramped with negligent parents).”
Under City Ordinance No. 8243, a fine of Php 2,000 or imprisonment for one month is the penalty imposed on negligent parents with children aged 15 to 17 while irresponsible parents with children aged 13 to 14 will be fined Php 3,000 or three months imprisonment. A fine of Php 5,000 or imprisonment for up to 6 months, or both, will be charged against parents with children aged 12 and below.
The mayor tasked the Manila Police District (MPD) and Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW) to file complaints against the irresponsible parents who are proven guilty of neglecting their children.
Report from Kenneth Paciente
