Economic Disadvantage on the Private Business Sector

Due to Curfew within Iligan City

Critical Analysis

Presented to Professor Hazel D. Jovita PhD

Department of Political Science
MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology

In Partial fulfillment of requirements for Political Science POS150

PHILIPPINE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Cesar Kenneth Gregory L. Cabrera

 INTRODUCTION
Curfew hours in Iligan City was first implemented on May 24, 2017 to maintain
stability of peace and order in the area amidst ongoing cleaning operations of the
government troops in Marawi City. Due to an improving security outlook in the
city, the local legislators have agreed to shorten the curfew period for residents
from eight hours to only five hours. (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 2017)
Since the implementation of Martial Law by Rodrigo R. Duterte since the
Proclamation No. 216 on May 23 2017, Majority of lawmakers from Mindanao
expressed support for the prolonging the already extended martial law, citing that
military rule is needed to protect the constituents and secure rehabilitation efforts
in Marawi. The city government of Iligan city first imposed a 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
curfew on May 24, a day after the Marawi attack. On May 3, it was adjusted to 9
p.m. to 5 a.m., which caused a huge blow to nighttime business. Establishments
close an hour before the start of curfew. The city government then shortened the
curfew to only five hours from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. The resolution was approved
unanimously during the council’s session on June 28. Mayor Celso Regencia also
approved the resolution. Though on May 31, it was adjusted and implemented
from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., which was a big blow to nighttime businesses like food
joints, bars and cafés. But there are changes to the curfew after the appeal of
businessmen within the city. The changes in the curfew hours are embodied in the
City Ordinance No. 17-6613 approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod authored
by Councilor Ian Uy. The reason for choosing this certain topic is to seek to
understand the implications within the city caused by the curfew. Curfew policies
encompass a variety of restricted activities and sanctions, implemented with the
intention of controlling illegal activity, delinquency and increasing public safety,
however sometimes these laws or regulations can cause more harm than good,
especially to the development of the city. The curfew policy and its safety
concerns are affecting businesses and service-industry workers. The nighttime
economy helps drive growth within the city and the targets of this certain market
are young adults. Since the announcement of the city-wide curfew, service
industry workers in Iligan City have had to deal with curtailed or nonexistent
hours and the reduction in wages that comes with it. The city's many waiters,
bartenders, cabbies, cleaning people, and other service workers have expressed
how the curfew has been affecting them and their worries for the future.
Philippine financial markets weakened in early trading on March 24, 2017 as the
Philippine Stock Exchange Composite Index (PSEi) was down 0.42 percent to
7,779.73, before rallying to close at 7,837.82, up by 0.33 percent or 25.68 points,
which a trader attributed to investors remaining positive on the domestic market
despite the developments in Mindanao. Exploring the disadvantage of the curfew
policy within the city is important in order to assess the assumption that security
within the city is more important despite the fact that it has been peaceful within
almost two years since the incident of the Marawi Siege than its Economic
Development in the city.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Theoretical Framework

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs – Safety need

In the study of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs as cited in the study of psychological
science of Schaller (2010), Safety needs in Maslow's hierarchy refer to the need
for security and protection. When people have their physiological needs for food
and water met, their safety needs dominate their behavior. These needs have to do
with their natural desire for a predictable, orderly world that is somewhat within
man’s control. Safety needs in today's world can manifest themselves as job
security, savings accounts, insurance policies, financial security, and health and
well-being. Taking the account to consider the stages of needs of human person
safety is included.