By Priam F. Nepomuceno & Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan
MANILA, (PNA News Feature) — “Spare the rod and spoil the child”, a proverb favoring physical punishment for erring children once said.
But in these days where premium is put on children’s rights and welfare, the Quezon City Council has recently passed a ordinance promoting positive and non-violent forms of discipline of children and prohibits corporal punishment.
The ordinance known as the: “Promoting Positive Discipline of Children”, is authored by 6th District Councilor Candy Medina.
It aims to protect children from all forms of neglect, abuse, maltreatment, and exploitation in the private and public sphere.
Physical and humiliating punishment such as pinching,pulling ears or hair, beating, kicking, slapping and blows to any part of the child’s body inflicted by parents, guardians, relatives or house helpers is now a punishable offense under the ordinance.
“A child has the right to be protected from economic exploitation, and from employment in conditions that are dangerous or harmful to his or her health orphysical, psychological or moral development, or in night work or during such working periods as hinder his or her education,” Medina said.
Verbal assaults, threats or intimidation and other act swords, which belittle, humiliate, blame and isolate the child, below 18 years of age, are likewise prohibited in the said ordinance.
The commission of the prohibited acts enumerated under Section 3 of the ordinance shall be punished by imprisonment of not more than six months or a fine not exceeding P1, 000.
Medina said the ordinance also intends to guarantee the rights of children so that they may live, grow, develop and participates optimally in society in accordance with their dignity as human beings, and that they will be protected against violence and discrimination.
The parents, guardian or any person responsible for the care and custody of the child must complete a seminar on the promotion of positive discipline of children to be able to enroll the child in the day care centers.
Medina added the ordinance also seeks to protect children from all acts or omissions constituting neglect, abuse, maltreatment, and exploitation such as –causing the sexual exploitation of children, through producing or using sexual goods or services involving a child, including child pornography, child prostitution, child sex tourism,participation in sexually-oriented performances, child marriage, and trafficking in children for these purposes;
“Child protection shall be a primary objective in all governmental, legislative, judicial, and administrative proceedings,” she noted.