Summary of Proposed Ordinance No. 2025-0859
Title: The Naga City Ordinance on Parental Responsibility
Sponsor: City Councilor Gilda Gayle R. Abonal-Gomez
Co-Sponsors: Councilors Baldemoro, Felix, Morata, Adan, Constantino
Purpose
To establish a comprehensive framework for parental responsibility in Naga City, promoting positive parenting, child protection, and community education aligned with national laws and local policies.
Key Provisions
- Parental Authority Defined: Based on the Family Code, it includes care, education, discipline, and protection of children.
- Scope of Responsibility: Applies to parents, guardians, schools, and childcare institutions.
- Non-Renunciation Clause: Parental authority cannot be transferred except by law.
- Suspension/Termination: Authority ends upon death, emancipation, adoption, or court rulings.
- Parental Duties: This includes providing love, guidance, education, healthcare, civic engagement, and protection from harmful behaviors.
- Prohibited Acts: Covers neglect (e.g., failure to enroll in school, allowing harmful habits) and abuse (e.g., corporal punishment, exploitation).
- Positive Discipline Mandate: Explicit ban on corporal punishment and humiliating discipline.
- Support Services: Institutionalizes the Parent Effectiveness Program; strengthens BCPCs and Child Protection Committees.
- Monitoring: Led by CSWDO with quarterly reports from barangays.
- Penalties:
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- Neglect: Fines and community service (₱1,000–₱5,000)
- Abuse: Fines or imprisonment (₱1,000–₱5,000 or 3 months to 1 year)
Legal Basis
- 1987 Constitution
- Family Code of the Philippines
- RA 4881 (Parent Effectiveness Service Program Act)
- RA 11861 (Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act)
- Ordinance No. 2022-036 (Children’s Welfare Code)
- Ordinance No. 2013-026 (Positive Discipline Ordinance)