City sets curfew on minors; Batad outlaws stray dogs, cats, chicken

By Florence F. Hibionada

Minors will soon find themselves prohibited to roam city streets and remain in public places following the strict implementation of the curfew ordinance approved by the Iloilo City Council in 2001 yet.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas ordered the enforcement of the ordinance to keep minors out of harm's way and to enable them to concentrate more on their studies.

As such, only those in the "legal age" of 18 and above may continue to be seen between 11 p.m. till 4 a.m. in all nightspots and elsewhere. Otherwise, the police under the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) have the right to effect an arrest.

Similar contention and intention in the town of Batad albeit with different targets by virtue of an amended ordinance that moved to outlaw stray members of the animal kingdom. From dogs, to goats, carabaos, pigs, cats and yes, chickens, Municipal Ordinance No. 2 as revised prohibits stray animals from roaming around public places.

As identified, public places include public market, plaza, parks, public school premises, municipal building, churches and chapels, health centers, national, provincial, municipal streets and barangay roads. It was not immediately clear what penalties or fate await the stray animals if caught in these areas.

The approval came in the recommendation of Committee Report No. 127 of the Committee on Ordinances, Legal Matters and Inter-Government Relations of the Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) chaired by Board Member Domingo Oso Jr. The SP body in last week's session gave its nod on the recommendation.