PARENTS who willfully refuse or neglect to send their children to school will be penalized with imprisonment or fine once a Quezon City ordinance for such purpose is approved.

Chairman Ranulfo Ludovica filed the proposed ordinance as he stressed the need of providing education to the children since it is one of the primordial duties and obligations of parents.

In his proposed measure, Ludovica said that it shall be mandatory for all parents in Quezon City to enroll their children for elementary and high school education to ensure the welfare of the children.

Ludovica cited his proposed ordinance, Section 13 of Republic Act 7610 also known as the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act,” as amended by RA 9231, explicitly provides that “no child shall be deprived of formal or non-formal education.”

With the system of free public education in elementary and high school established by the government, through the Department of Education (DepEd), numerous public schools have been established in every barangay to accommodate the underprivileged city residents.

The chairman stressed that parents, even the unemployed, have no reason for not sending their children to school.

He added that poor families can also afford to enroll their children because the Quezon City government is now offering and providing livelihood opportunities and assistance.