Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Curfew is an order specifying a time during which certain regulations

apply. This is being implemented to protect the citizens from any harm that

may cause them. Molina (2017) argued that curfew as an ordinance strictly

prohibits or limit the right of individuals to be out in public at a certain time,

or in some cases, requires businesses to close their doors on specified time.

The most concern of any curfew ordinance is to proscribe minors from

loitering in public areas at specified times of the day, typically spanning the

late hours of the night or school hours during the day. The Merriam-Webster’s

Dictionary defines minors as those below the legal age of majority or adulthood.

The age of majority varies in different countries (Britannica, 2021). In the

Philippines, R.A No. 9344 defined child or minor as those under the age of 18

years. Any minor caught out defying can face a fine or even jail time, depending

upon the specific laws of the town (Kline, 2011). Implementation of curfew

hours is indeed an ideal proposition of providing a safe and sound environment

among Filipino who are weak on the disadvantageous effect of changing

generations from a more liberated one(Molina, 2017).

In a study conducted by Kline (2011), youth crime is a major and a

growing problem in the society often involving both drugs and violence.

Imposing curfew hours is what legislators and local officials had seen to make
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sure that this problem on juvenile delinquencies will be eradicated at least to

be addressed. Law enforcers keep young people off the street and prohibit them

from congregating in the hours of darkness. This is an avenue to help protect

vulnerable minors from any harm and to stay them away from witnessing

various crimes which happens mostly during nigh time. The implementation of

curfew in the country were based on rampant news of killing which involves

minors (Molina, 2017).

In the study of Sampson (2010), children and adolescents living in

neighborhoods characterized by crime or disorganization are more likely to

become victims of violent crime and to perpetrate acts of violence. Children

who witness crime and violence are more likely to experience social and

emotional problems such as aggression, stress, withdrawal, as well as

delinquency and low school achievement

Meanwhile, Adams (2003) mentioned that juvenile curfew laws have

appealed to liberals and conservatives alike, though usually for slightly

different reasons. For conservatives, curfew fits into an approach of more

vigorous enforcement efforts, more punitive sentencing, and increased social

controls. For liberals, curfew fits into the program of identifying juveniles in

early stages of delinquency who could benefit from intervention strategies.

Additionally, the costs of enforcing curfew are perceived as relatively low and

the measures perceived as very effective.

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In USA, juvenile curfew aims to reduce crime through incapacitation. If

young people will go home early at night, they will have less opportunity to get

into trouble. It is extremely common in the United States, largest cities have

them, as do many smaller cities and towns. They typically apply to those under

age 18, and the punishment for breaking curfew is usually a fine (Doleac J.

2015).

Furthermore, they found that juvenile curfew laws were effective at

reducing adverse youth health outcomes e.g., trauma transports; juvenile

crime; and victimization were of higher quality e.g., stronger methodological

approaches than those finding no effects. However, given the limited number of

studies and concerns with quality, they concluded that more research is

needed before conclusions can be drawn about the efficacy of juvenile curfew

laws (Grossman and Miller 2012).

Meanwhile, crime prevention is any initiative or policy which reduces or

eliminates the aggregate level of victimization or the risk of individual criminal

participation. It includes government and community-based programs to

reduce the incidents of risk factors correlated with criminal participation and

the rage of victimization, as well as efforts to change perceptions (Southern

Illinois University, 2006). People should also understand that the government

has the right to impose what is good for the citizens and hear the feedback

from the people on the effects of its actions toward the mainstream of their

decisions (Molina, 2017).

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In particular, one of the fundamental duties of the selected officials is to

make sure that their jurisdiction should be a place where safety is not being

compromised. The elected officials’ role and responsibility is to create and

enact laws that would help prevent crimes and to maintain peace and order

within their jurisdiction. One of which is the implementation of curfew hours in

Barangay Patay, Sagada, Mountain Province.

This concept provides the researchers to profoundly study the relevance

of safety among communities and the level of their understanding on the

functions of national security with respect to crime prevention on their places.

It is an endeavor of every Filipino to have a safe and comfortable environment

that is free of hazard and which they can live freely according to their will.

In Cebu City, barangay officials are asked to conduct an intensified foot

patrol in their respective areas to make sure that crimes will not surge.

Executive Director Lao of Cebu City for Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP)

issued a memorandum requesting barangay officials to intensify their visibility

patrol and peace and order measures as their extra mile in working with the

Philippine National Police in the anti-criminality campaign. He also added that

his office will monitor the performance of every barangay officials through their

submission of individual accomplishment report and daily time record (Leyson

O. 2018).

In La Trinidad, the Sangguniang Bayan on March 4, 2008 amended

section 15 of Ordinance No. 1-2003 or the Curfew for Minors under the
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Children Welfare Code changing mainly the time schedule and the penalties

which then now referred to as the Ordinance No. 2- 2008. The ordinance was

revised to match with Baguio City who earlier revised the same ordinance in

their locality. Section 15 of Ordinance No.2 of 2008 states that “No person

below eighteen years old shall loiter in the streets or public places from Seven

O’clock in the evening (7:00 pm) to Five O’clock in the morning (5:00 am),

except those returning to or going out of their houses or schools for legitimate

purposes or unless they are in company with their parents and guardians.

Minors who shall be caught will be referred to the Municipal Social Welfare and

Development Office (MSWDO) for guidance and counseling, safekeeping for the

night, and disposition in accordance to the provisions of RA 9344”. The said

ordinance is a revised edition of Ordinance no.1-2003, section 15 which states

that “No person below eighteen years shall loiter in the streets or public places

from 10:30 at Night. The senior citizens’ federation asked municipalities in

Benguet to strictly impose the curfew for minors, in order to shun them away

from committing or becoming victims of crimes (Balangen, 2011).

In Sagada, Mountain Province, the Sangguniang Bayan of Sagada

enacted Municipal Ordinance N0. 01- 2005 on February 21, 2005, imposing

curfew hour on students and minors in the municipality and providing

penalties for violating. The ordinance shall cover the entire municipality and

shall apply to all students and minors. Minors should no longer stay outside

their residences at 8 PM on Sundays to Thursdays while 9 PM on Fridays and

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Saturdays. Any minor caught violating the ordinance will be facing the

corresponding penalty based from the number of violations committed.

Curfew is credited by some with restoring and maintaining order in lower

crime neighborhoods. It provides parents with a legitimate, legal basis for

restricting the activities of their children. It is easier for parents to place

boundaries on their children's activities, proponents argue, when other youth

in the neighborhood are similarly restricted by a specific time to return home.

Nonetheless, there are still weaknesses and problems in its implementation

(Ruefle and Reynolds, 1996).

Similar with any program being implemented to eradicate crime in the

community, curfew ordinance on minors of Barangay Patay, Sagada, Mountain

Province also needs to undergo reassessing to identify the weak points to find

what needs to be intensified. According to Sagada Chief Police Senior Inspector

Peter Ayongda and Gina Dizon (2015), violation of curfew hours were mostly

committed by people aged 15 to 25. In 2017, there were four (4) reported cases

committed during curfew hours for vandalism (2 cases) and public disturbance

(2).

This study focused in determining the level of implementation of curfew

hours on minors of Barangay Patay, Sagada, Mountain Province and evaluated

the deterrent effects of curfew on minors that imposed various local ordinances

for curfews on minor welfare, safety and security measures to empower the law

of the country. Researchers gathered appropriate data of responses from the

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respondents and delivered public information on the perceptions of local

government officials and concern citizens on the effectiveness of the curfew

ordinance of the community.

This study would benefit the Philippine National Police, barangay officials

and concerned agencies in crafting plans on how to better implement the

ordinance at hand.

To the respondents, the outcome of the study would serve as a tool that

will assist them to improve their current system through the provision of

significant data from the study.

For the Police officers, the result of the study will help upgrade and

enhance its capabilities of implementing the PNP Strategic Action Plan in

Patay, Sagada, Mountain Province and other municipalities that are yet to be

adentified who faces similar problem.

For the municipality itself, the result of the study will be one of the

sources for making this town a better place.

For the researchers, to help them determine the level of implementation

of curfew hours in the locale of the study and to gain essential knowledge

relevant to their future profession; and

To the future researchers, it will serve as a reference in conducting

similar studies in the future.

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Conceptual Framework

Curfew was built upon the idea that “restricting the hours when young

people may be in public should limit their opportunities to commit crimes or

become victims” (McDowall, 2000, p. 59). With this underlying motivation,

such policies can take a variety of forms, including variations in targeted age

groups, hours of operation, exceptions to the policy, and sanctions for

violations (e.g., Ford, 1994, p.1679; Ruefle & Reynolds, 1995).

Crime prevention is the attempt to reduce victimization and to deter

crime and criminals. It is applied specifically to efforts made by governments to

reduce crime, enforce the law, and maintain criminal justice. One of the

priority goals of the government is to establish a harmonious, peaceful, and

stable environment conducive to attain over-all development here in our

county. For one, the impact of a sound and healthy environment greatly affects

the welfare of every individual and the overall status of the economy in the

nation (Southern Illinois University, 2006).

This study was anchored from the Municipal Ordinance N0. 01- 2005

enacted on February 21, 2005, imposing curfew hour on students and minors

in the municipality and providing penalties for violating. The ordinance shall

cover the entire municipality and shall apply to all students and minors.

Minors should no longer stay outside their residences at 8 PM on Sundays to

Thursdays while 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Any minor caught violating

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the ordinance will be facing the corresponding penalty based from the number

of violations committed. First offense covers community service, parental

counseling at the DSWD office or can be referred to their school’s guidance

counselor. Second offense would either be a: continuous guidance to both

parents and child; child will be referred to barangay officials; or a one-day

community service. Third and final offense would be a two-day community

labor at the Municipal Hall.

Figure 1 on the next page presents the paradigm of the study following

the independent variables-dependent variables-moderator variables.

Under the independent variables, the following were determined: The

curfew operation is dependent on the assessment of the level of implementation

of curfew hours, the level of effectiveness of the strategies in implementation of

curfew hours and the problems encountered in the implementation of curfew

hours. Differences in the perceptions among PNP personnel, barangay officials

and residents may exist, any may affect the result of assessment.
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INDEPENDENT VARIABLES DEPENDENT VARIABLE

1. Level of implementation
of curfew hours in Brgy. Implementation of curfew

Patay. hours in Barangay Patay,

2. Degree of seriousness of Sagada.

problems affecting the

implementation of curfew
hours in Brgy. Patay.
3. Level of effectiveness of
the strategies in
implementing curfew
hours in Brgy. Patay.

MODERATOR VARIABLES

a) PNP personnel
b) Barangay officials
c) Residents

Figure 1. Paradigm of the Study

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Statement of the Problem

The study aimed to determine the implementation of curfew hours on

minors in Barangay Patay, Sagada, Mountain Province.

Specifically, the study sought to answer the following questions:

1. What is the level of implementation of curfew hours of minors in

Barangay Patay, Sagada, Mountain Province?

1.1. Is there is a significant difference on the level of

implementation of curfew hours according to the group of respondents?

2. What is the degree of seriousness of problems affecting the

implementation of curfew hours on minors in Barangay Patay, Sagada,

Mountain Province?

2.1. Is there a significant difference in the degree of seriousness of

problems affecting the implementation of curfew hours on minors as

perceived by the group of respondents?

3. What is the level of effectiveness of the strategies in implementing curfew

hours on minors in Barangay Patay, Sagada, Mountain Province?

3.1. Is there a significant difference on the level of effectiveness of

the strategies in implementing curfew hours on minors as perceived by

the group of respondents?

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Null Hypothesis

1. There is no significant difference on the level of implementation of curfew

hours according to the group of respondents.

2. There is no significant difference in the degree of seriousness of problems

affecting the implementation of curfew hours on minors as perceived by

the group of respondents.

3. There is no significant difference on the level of effectiveness of the

strategies in implementing curfew hours on minors as perceived by the

group of respondents.
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