Ordinance No. 118, series of 2018 which prohibits schoolchildren and students from speaking out bad words in schools, computer shops, arcades and other public places frequented by the said individuals in the different parts of the city took effect early October after the same was signed by Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan last September 24, 2018. The edict was primarily aimed at providing proper guidance for today’s youth in their growth and development by avoiding uttering unsavory words against their colleagues in public places or in areas they frequent as this does not reflect well on how the said children were nurtured by their parents. While it is true that speaking out profane language is part of the Filipino culture, especially among adults, schoolchildren and students should not emulate the same because people will have a different perception on how the said individuals were nurtured reflecting even the behavior of their parents and elders.
It is a common in computer shops, arcades, school campuses and other public places frequented by the youth that they often come out with profane and unsavory words while playing computer games, especially when they are alone. This kind of behaviour shows that these children and youth have are not mature in dealing with intense situations when playing games alone or with their companions. For people inside the said establishments and witness such behavior, they may conclude that conclude that the students or schoolchildren who utter profane languages are not actually taken cared by their parents and older members of their families and such may be normal occurrence in their daily lives.
The impending implementation of the city’s anti-profanity ordinance received numerous mixed reactions from residents and visitors alike. Those who are against the implementation of the measure questioned the legal basis of the ordinance since it is allegedly in violation of the constitutional provision on the freedom of speech, while those who support the strict implementation of the measure underscored that it is part of inculcating to the younger ones the proper values and character they are supposed to possess when they grow up and become responsible members of the society.
Under the ordinance, schoolchildren and students caught uttering profane language inside school campuses will be under the jurisdiction of the school administrators who will impose the penalty of reprimand, warning and possible expulsion of individuals who insist in doing the said illegal act while the management of establishments will be required to post in their businesses anti-profanity notices to serve as constant reminder to everyone that uttering unsavory and profane language will not be allowed at all times. The penal provision of the ordinance was not provided by the proponent because the intention was to simply provide direction for the children to observe the proper values and character they should possess to become as successors of their parents and older members of their families.
We support the implementation of the ordinance in all the places frequented by schoolchildren and students. Let us learn to appreciate the wisdom and beauty of the ordinance, especially in instilling to the younger ones the appropriate values and character needed by a responsible person properly nurtured in his or her growth. Checking the attitude of children at a young age is part of the proper molding the young ones to be responsible and dedicated members of the society.
Let us not use freedom of speech as an excuse for us to be able to free ourselves from responsibilities. It is very important for us to be guided properly in our growth so that we will not be misguided. Let us adopt measures that will put things in proper perspective to prevail upon our children and make them productive members of our society.
We should allow the ordinance to be fully implemented by the stakeholders and allow it to takes its course as an integral part of our society to instill discipline among today’s youth who are seemingly losing the right track in living a decent life. Critics and supporters of the ordinance have aired their views on the matter. Aside from respecting the opinion of others, let us give a chance for the measure to be in place in our society because it will be the present and future generations that will reap its fruits in having responsible and respectful persons living in the city, especially that Baguio City is a Character City pursuant to existing laws, rules and regulations.
