Comprehensive Children's Code of Iloilo City

5:40 PM at 5:40 PM Filed under:

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To strengthen the protection of children, an ordinance providing for a comprehensive children's welfare code for Iloilo City was passed in yesterday's session of the City Council.
According to Councilor Lex Tupas, the author of the said ordinance, the code will serve as compilation of all the city ordinances that focus on the welfare of children.
Tupas also added that the said ordinance will enable the city government to achieve its goal to be a child-friendly city not only in Western Visayas but of the country.
As stated in the ordinance, the code was established to ensure the protection of children against all forms of abuse and exploitation, to ensure that they are given priority attention both in government and civil society, to advocate for children's rights and promote their welfare and development, to enable Ilonggo children to fully develop their potentials and participate in community life and nation building, and to provide mechanisms to address violations against them.
Based on Article 4, Section 26 of the said ordinance, the city government shall formulate a comprehensive program for children covering at least three years.
Such program shall include prevention, participation, protection as well as rehabilitation. It shall emphasize prevention of children's rights violations to include prevention of child abuse, child offending, drug addiction, and other children's problems.
Meanwhile, Councilor Tupas also added that the community's help is needed to effectively promote the said ordinance.
"Community-wide issues shall be addressed to prevent violations of children's rights through mobilization of human resources within the community," he stated.
Among the national laws that involve children's welfare are: P.D. 603 or the Child and Youth Welfare Code, RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act as amended by Republic Act 9231 or An Act Providing for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor and Affording Protection for the Working Child); RA 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, RA 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children), and other pertinent laws.
The ordinance therefore prohibits illegal recruitment, peonage of children, pre-arrangement for marriage, using girls as commodities in benefit dances, discrimination of girl children, discrimination of illegitimate children, expulsion by reason of pregnancy, physical and degrading forms of punishment, pushing and enticing minors to live-in arrangements, sexual exploitation, entry, selling and distribution of pornographic materials; selling liquor, cigarettes, rugby and other addicting substances to a child; smoking in enclosed places and public conveyances, recruitment of children as laborers in pyrotechnic industries, and other worst forms of child-labor practices.
It also prohibits using children in social and/or cultural activities where they are compelled to wear skimpy outfits and/or perform sexually suggestive movements or immoral activities, allowing any child below 12 years of age to drive or operate a pedicab and trisikad, exposing a child to any illegal amusement activity and allowing a child below five years old to ride in a motorcycle, motor bicycle, or motorized pedicab with or without helmet.
All the said prohibitions are based on the existing city ordinances and national laws that involved children.
Violators of the said code may face imprisonment of six months to one year and/or a fine ranging from P500.00 to P5,000.
For first time offenders, the foregoing penalty may be waived subject to the consent of the child and may serve any of the following: attendance in a parenting or any appropriate seminar, community service of 10 to 15 days, counseling sessions, family therapy or participation in required training courses.*

City enacts children's welfare code

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To strengthen the protection of children, an ordinance providing for a comprehensive children's welfare code for Iloilo City was passed in yesterday's session of the City Council.
According to Councilor Lex Tupas, the author of the said ordinance, the code will serve as compilation of all the city ordinances that focus on the welfare of children.
Tupas also added that the said ordinance will enable the city government to achieve its goal to be a child-friendly city not only in Western Visayas but of the country.
As stated in the ordinance, the code was established to ensure the protection of children against all forms of abuse and exploitation, to ensure that they are given priority attention both in government and civil society, to advocate for children's rights and promote their welfare and development, to enable Ilonggo children to fully develop their potentials and participate in community life and nation building, and to provide mechanisms to address violations against them.
Based on Article 4, Section 26 of the said ordinance, the city government shall formulate a comprehensive program for children covering at least three years.
Such program shall include prevention, participation, protection as well as rehabilitation. It shall emphasize prevention of children's rights violations to include prevention of child abuse, child offending, drug addiction, and other children's problems.
Meanwhile, Councilor Tupas also added that the community's help is needed to effectively promote the said ordinance.
"Community-wide issues shall be addressed to prevent violations of children's rights through mobilization of human resources within the community," he stated.
Among the national laws that involve children's welfare are: P.D. 603 or the Child and Youth Welfare Code, RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act as amended by Republic Act 9231 or An Act Providing for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor and Affording Protection for the Working Child); RA 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, RA 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children), and other pertinent laws.
The ordinance therefore prohibits illegal recruitment, peonage of children, pre-arrangement for marriage, using girls as commodities in benefit dances, discrimination of girl children, discrimination of illegitimate children, expulsion by reason of pregnancy, physical and degrading forms of punishment, pushing and enticing minors to live-in arrangements, sexual exploitation, entry, selling and distribution of pornographic materials; selling liquor, cigarettes, rugby and other addicting substances to a child; smoking in enclosed places and public conveyances, recruitment of children as laborers in pyrotechnic industries, and other worst forms of child-labor practices.
It also prohibits using children in social and/or cultural activities where they are compelled to wear skimpy outfits and/or perform sexually suggestive movements or immoral activities, allowing any child below 12 years of age to drive or operate a pedicab and trisikad, exposing a child to any illegal amusement activity and allowing a child below five years old to ride in a motorcycle, motor bicycle, or motorized pedicab with or without helmet.
All the said prohibitions are based on the existing city ordinances and national laws that involved children.
Violators of the said code may face imprisonment of six months to one year and/or a fine ranging from P500.00 to P5,000.
For first time offenders, the foregoing penalty may be waived subject to the consent of the child and may serve any of the following: attendance in a parenting or any appropriate seminar, community service of 10 to 15 days, counseling sessions, family therapy or participation in required training courses.*

Read more about Against by ■ The News Today

April 26, 2012

I am very much thankful of all the support of and the guidance of all stakeholders, concerned groups & individuals and my fellow public servants. After more than 3 years of working for the passage of this particular ordinance, the Comprehensive Children's Welfare Code of Iloilo City was passed on second and final reading yesterday during the regular Iloilo City Council session. This is for the protection of our children's rights, privileges, health, against abuse & exploitation, for women (mothers, elderly & girl children), and for healthy & strong Ilonggo families. The children are our treasures and they are the future of our city. We will now work to be the Most Child Friendly City in Region VI and hopefully even of the Philippines. Thank you to all stakeholders who have made this passage of the code possible. To God be the glory.

Below is a write up for the said code. Thanks Karen of TNT.

City enacts children's welfare code

E-mail Print PDF
0 00ShareThisNew
To strengthen the protection of children, an ordinance providing for a comprehensive children's welfare code for Iloilo City was passed in yesterday's session of the City Council.
According to Councilor Lex Tupas, the author of the said ordinance, the code will serve as compilation of all the city ordinances that focus on the welfare of children.
Tupas also added that the said ordinance will enable the city government to achieve its goal to be a child-friendly city not only in Western Visayas but of the country.
As stated in the ordinance, the code was established to ensure the protection of children against all forms of abuse and exploitation, to ensure that they are given priority attention both in government and civil society, to advocate for children's rights and promote their welfare and development, to enable Ilonggo children to fully develop their potentials and participate in community life and nation building, and to provide mechanisms to address violations against them.
Based on Article 4, Section 26 of the said ordinance, the city government shall formulate a comprehensive program for children covering at least three years.
Such program shall include prevention, participation, protection as well as rehabilitation. It shall emphasize prevention of children's rights violations to include prevention of child abuse, child offending, drug addiction, and other children's problems.
Meanwhile, Councilor Tupas also added that the community's help is needed to effectively promote the said ordinance.
"Community-wide issues shall be addressed to prevent violations of children's rights through mobilization of human resources within the community," he stated.
Among the national laws that involve children's welfare are: P.D. 603 or the Child and Youth Welfare Code, RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act as amended by Republic Act 9231 or An Act Providing for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor and Affording Protection for the Working Child); RA 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, RA 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children), and other pertinent laws.
The ordinance therefore prohibits illegal recruitment, peonage of children, pre-arrangement for marriage, using girls as commodities in benefit dances, discrimination of girl children, discrimination of illegitimate children, expulsion by reason of pregnancy, physical and degrading forms of punishment, pushing and enticing minors to live-in arrangements, sexual exploitation, entry, selling and distribution of pornographic materials; selling liquor, cigarettes, rugby and other addicting substances to a child; smoking in enclosed places and public conveyances, recruitment of children as laborers in pyrotechnic industries, and other worst forms of child-labor practices.
It also prohibits using children in social and/or cultural activities where they are compelled to wear skimpy outfits and/or perform sexually suggestive movements or immoral activities, allowing any child below 12 years of age to drive or operate a pedicab and trisikad, exposing a child to any illegal amusement activity and allowing a child below five years old to ride in a motorcycle, motor bicycle, or motorized pedicab with or without helmet.
All the said prohibitions are based on the existing city ordinances and national laws that involved children.
Violators of the said code may face imprisonment of six months to one year and/or a fine ranging from P500.00 to P5,000.
For first time offenders, the foregoing penalty may be waived subject to the consent of the child and may serve any of the following: attendance in a parenting or any appropriate seminar, community service of 10 to 15 days, counseling sessions, family therapy or participation in required training courses.*


Letting God Lead the Way

5:01 PM at 5:01 PM Filed under:
April 23, 2012

Many of us have our own dreams and aspirations. We work hard for it and we try to make it happen. Some we reach easy, some passed through trials but were still attained while some are not given to us no matter how hard we try. To the dreams that became realities, we praise God and thank everyone who helped us make it possible. For the dream that was evasive and did not happen, maybe God has a bigger plan for us or maybe God has something much better for us.
Failure or not being able to reach the desired destination at our own schedule and time might probably mean that there is a redirection to something better, bigger and more appropriate for us. Something that wasn’t planned but it just happened. Sometimes, it might also be a test of courage, tenacity, passion, intensity and commitment. When we never give up in reaching our dreams no matter how hard it takes, no matter how long it would take and no matter how many obstacles and hindrances we have to overcome.
It is in giving our lives to God and in letting Him lead us that we find the right path and we reach the success that is meant for us. When we allow God to be in control, then good things happen. Sometimes, the more we plan for something, the more it doesn’t happen but just let God and you’ll be surprised it all falls into place.

Backpack

3:21 AM at 3:21 AM Filed under:
April 17, 2012

In our everyday life, we plan our own schedule, we have our tasks to do and our own deadlines. Whatever we do affects how we behave and probably our mood as well.
Let us imagine ourselves carrying our back pack called life. Now as a person, whatever we carry inside our backpack, symbolizes
who we are. It shows what we value in life and what we are ready and willing to carry at our backs.What we are is compared to this because what we carry makes up what we feel right inside. Imagine a backpack as your whole self that is materialistic so you tend to fill that backpack with things of course like cellphones, television, clothes and jewelry. With that, still you are not content. Now, you keep on piling it in with bigger stuff, like your sofa, cabinets, your cars and a house, after which do try to walk. It will definitely be hard just the fact of standing and carrying that much at your back. It is all about material possessions. It seems that if such people become numb of the surroundings and tend to be focused on just oneself. Due to the heaviness and how hard it is to carry and move, many will not be able to find the courage and strength to move on and life apparently isn't as fulfilling as they would have hoped it to be by collecting a lot of material possessions.
At this point, to continue to move and to be able to make things lighter, it is best to empty that back pack. Also, why not fill it with relationships and memories of people that we care about. Let us fill it with heartfelt emotions and let us fill it with courage.

We are human beings that live one life. We only have one life. Let us not fill it with our own selfishness but let us fill it with openness and appreciation of everything that surrounds us most especially the priceless ones. What is important is not the physical appearance of the backpack or how much it weighs but rather it is how much we care and how much we give importance towards people, towards our blessings and towards why we exist with others in our lifetime. The significance of this backpack in our lives is it symbolizes that we
are capable of doing wonderful deeds in our lives and what we choose to value. It is just a matter of what we prioritize in what we place in our back pack.

Gratitude

4:11 AM at 4:11 AM Filed under:
April 11, 2012

I would like to take this opportunity to thank again the people of Iloilo City. In the Recent RACI Election Preference Survey conducted February to March 2012, I am honored, humbled and blessed to still be the top choice for Iloilo City Councilor with a very decent and strong lead from the second placer and a commanding lead from the third placer and onwards. For Iloilo City Vice Mayor, I am second in rank in the survey next to the incumbent. This became possible because of the strong and continuous support of the people of Iloilo City. Thank you Iloilo City.

Just a few months ago, a RACI Performance Satisfaction Survey was conducted and we were also honored and blessed to receive the highest performance approval rating of a City Official especially in the City Council. Months before that, we were honored to receive the Dangal ng Bayan Award for Legislative and Service Excellence for the second time from CONPHIL in Ateneo De Manila University.

These awards and recognitions are neither for me alone nor for my family but this is because, due to and for the people of Iloilo City.

I did not strive to get awards or recognitions but rather I worked hard to render excellent public service to Iloilo City through legislative measures and special projects and programs. The people of Iloilo City took a risk on me in 2007 when they made a new face and a new name the youngest elected City Official despite the challenges and obstacles that came my way during that time.

I am more inspired and energized to serve Iloilo City with continuous excellence and with commitment, integrity, honesty, transparency, good governance and passion. I strive to make myself a better public servant through continuous education by obtaining my Masters in Public Management major in Local Government Administration from UP Diliman Campus OU in 2007, by obtaining my Doctor of Management specializing in Public Management from the Central Philippine University in 2009, by attending international and local seminars, training programs and forums, and I am presently planning to take up Law in the near future if time permits and if it will not affect my personal and public responsibilities and duties. Furthermore, I also observe and implement best practices in the local and international government administrations as well as in Public and Private Partnership Programs. We will only be successful if we work together as a team and as partners. Great things happen when we unite, work harmoniously and think of the good of the communities and for Iloilo City in general.

To be honest and I have been saying this from my first term until now, I believe that power is only temporary and it is from the people of Iloilo City. It was just lent to those who were elected for a specific time period. As such, we should show people that we deserve their trust and confidence. I always say that whatever people want and God’s will when it comes to public service, I will follow. If people will say continue, then I will. If they say, it’s time to stop, then I will stop. If they say continue and it’s time for a bigger responsibility and a higher position, then I will submit. At the end of the day, power comes from the people and is for the people. As long as I am needed, I will make myself available for the people of Iloilo City.

Again, the gratitude will always be present. To God be the glory.

Tingog para sa mabaskog nga pamilyang Ilonggo

Tingog para sa mabaskog nga pamilyang Ilonggo
With my wife, Dr. Candice Tupas and our daughter Alexa

Picture Slideshow