Centers for children regulation proposed

July 30, 2017 Opinion Sideglance

In a bid to further augments efforts and support the program for the protection of children City Councilor Joel Alangsab has filed a proposed legislative measure that would require individuals, entities or groups already operating or is still intending to operate any center for children in the City of Baguio to first secure a favorable indorsement from the Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) before actual operation.

In a bid to further augments efforts and support the program for the protection of children City Councilor Joel Alangsab has filed a proposed legislative measure that would require individuals, entities or groups already operating or is still intending to operate any center for children in the City of Baguio to first secure a favorable indorsement from the Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) before actual operation.

In the said proposed ordinance councilor Alangsab explained that Administrative Order Numbered 036 series of 2016 issued by the City Mayor mandates the coordination of the activities of organizations devoted to the welfare of children in the city and to secure their cooperation. He also added that “the City Government of Baguio has committed to a massive effort in support of the Child-Friendly Movement at all levels, local communities and families, thus it re-organizes its Local Council for the Protection of Children by virtue of Administrative Order 035, series of 2016 entitled, “ Re-organizing the Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) in the City of Baguio”. Thus Alangsab pointed out that it is necessary for the City Government to see to it that any center for the children operating within its jurisdiction or still intending to operate should undergo scrutiny by the  proper government agency such as the LCPC so that no center of the fly-by-night category would be able to operate in the city.

Under the pertinent provisions of the said proposed ordinance a center for children shall refer to a: (a) A day care center, (b) A center that admits children for board and lodging, either as temporary or permanent shelter, (c) A center that admits children for temporary care such as one found in shopping malls whose parent/s go on shopping while the children are left to the care of the center, (d) A center or establishment that admits children for a fee and allow them to play games inside and, (e) Other centers with the intention of taking care of children with or without pay. The proposed measure requires that “for a children’s center to be entitled to operate as such in the City of Baguio, a favorable indorsement from the LCPC is necessary before its actual operation, provided that a children’s center already operating at the time this ordinance takes effect shall be allowed to continue operating but shall comply with the requirements hereof within a period of one (1) month from such date effectivity.

For violation of the provisions of the proposed regulation a fine of one thousand pesos as well as suspension of business license or permit for a period of 15 days (if applicable) shall be imposed for the first offense. For the second offense a fine of three thousand pesos or imprisonment for a period of not exceeding 3 months, or both at the discretion of the court, shall be imposed as well as the suspension of business license or permit for a period of thirty days ( if applicable). And for the third offense, a fine of five thousand pesos or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 3 months, or both at the discretion of the court shall be imposed as well as the revocation of business license or permit, in case of a business entity or establishment, if applicable.

Finally, the LCPC in close coordination with the Permits and Licensing division and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) shall see to the full implementation of the said proposed regulatory measure.