BAGONG Henerasyon Party-list Representative Bernadette Herrera-Dy has proposed a nationwide curfew for Filipinos 18 and below for their safety and protection.

In her House Bill 1016 or the proposed Nationwide Curfew Act, the lawmaker stressed that children below 18 are vulnerable to abuse that could lead to exploitation, drug addiction and the commission of criminal acts.

The measure prohibits all minors from roaming around, wandering, staying or meandering in public places between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

It shall also be unlawful for a parent or guardian of a minor to knowingly permit or by insufficient control the minor to remain in any public place during curfew hours. All parents and guardians are mandated to supervise and exercise appropriate parental authority with regard to the conduct and activities of their minor children.

Based on the bill, violation of a minor for the first time will be referred to the nearest barangay hall or police station while the parents will be penalized with 48 hours of community service or a fine of P2,000.

For the second offense, the minor, together with his parent or guardian, will be required to attend two consecutive regular sessions of counselling. The parents will also be penalized with 72 hours of community service and a fine of P3,000.

And for the third and every subsequent offense, the minor will be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development while the parents or guardian will be penalized with a fine of P5,000 and/or imprisonment of six months.