TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines- The City of Ilagan council is pushing for the passage of the Anti-Truancy Ordinance, a measure seeking to address the cases of cutting classes among elementary and high school students of the city.
City councilor Jayve Diaz, the co-author of the said proposed ordinance, said this measure aims to stop students from staying away from class or cutting from their classes.
In a Facebook post, Diaz said the proposed ordinance will “give a strong impact for the safety of our young students, and [prevention] to the use of dangerous drugs and hazards that may occur outside the school premises,”
Diaz in a phone interview with Northern Forum on Wednesday, September 27, however, said the ordinance has yet to be finalized as they have yet to conduct a public hearing to solicit suggestions and reactions from the city’s stakeholders.
In an ABS-CBN Isabela report, Diaz said the ordinance will not only help the students stay focused on their classes but will also prevent them from having bad habits.
“Eto yung isa sa mga rason na makaiwas sa masasamang bisyo at iba pang ikakapahamak nila, so for them to be more disciplined at para na rin sa peace of mind din ng ating mga magulang,” Diaz told ABS-CBN News.
In case the ordinance is passed, an “Anti-Truancy Board” will be formed to act as the main enforcing body.
The board, according to the proposed ordinance, will be composed of the city mayor, selected committee chairs of the city council, Department of Education, Philippine National Police, Department of Interior and Local Government, municipal social welfare officer and barangay officials.
