BACOLOD City Mayor Monico Puentevella said he will consult the private sector on the move to enforce the curfew for minors, which only allows them to be out in the streets and in public places until 10 p.m.
This was stated by the mayor amid the clamor to ban the staging of “wet and wild” parties in Bacolod where minors were observed to be among the party goers.
“There’s really nothing new to it because we have not nabbed anyone who did wrong during the ‘wet and wild’ parties. There are those who are intoxicated which is just natural. All these happen in all festivals like Sinulog and Ati-Atihan. But it might be necessary to just change the name from ‘wet and wild’ to ‘soft and dry,” the mayor said.
He added, “I will have to talk to the private sector if they want to follow the curfew ordinance for minors. I don’t know what the church can say on this.”
The mayor said though that he met with all 10 police station chiefs on Saturday, and he discussed with them the plan to strongly enforce peace and order in the second year of his administration.
Bishop Vicente Navarra and Rev. Fr. Ernie Larida, director of the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Bacolod, had earlier written Puentevella about the recent deluge of videos and news regarding "wet and wild" parties joined by young people which they consider as disturbing.
"We cannot just leave the molding of the youth in the hands of their parents and teachers. All of us including the Church and the government must have a hand in the formation of the young. We cannot rule ourselves out from this great responsibility," the letter said.