The newly organized Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (Spark) based in UP-Diliman said that with only a few schools implementing the K-12 program, student congestion has led to class shifts that end even up to 9 p.m. to accommodate enrollees.
“Chances of these students going beyond the curfew will also be amplified with the upcoming monsoon rains and expected heavy flooding, add the lamentable state of the public transportation system and road networks which will all contribute to the longer travel time from school,” said Spark leader Joanne Lim.
Lim also raised the issue of working students “who are more likely to be scheduled to work on graveyard shifts so as not to conflict with the class schedules.”
“Even the labor department’s Special Program of Employment for Students (SPES), mandated under Republic Act No. 9547 allows students as young as fifteen to be employed so that the deserving may continue studying. This again is contrary to the unrealistic curfew hours employed by various city councils,” Lim pointed out.
In a statement, Spark called for “the immediate end of Oplan Rody until city councils modify their resolutions and take into consideration the realities of present-day conditions, lay down the mechanisms that will safeguard the youth from human rights abuses possibly by law enforcement units and, more importantly, address the societal roots of petty crime.”
The group said that “even the “seemingly harmless” sudden checks of identification cards of youngsters are hauntingly similar to the Martial Law days wherein police have the prerogative to demand details from people”.
“These police operations should be supervised and implemented by professionals such as social workers and officers from the PNP Women and Children Protection Center since it concerns minors. If the implementation of these ordinances are not properly regulated, too much power may be given to the police force and this can be taken advantage of if put in the wrong hands,” Lim said.
