The city council of Iloilo City is alarmed at the number of students who are selling sex to pay for tuition.
Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has sent a complaint to the city council from Professor Maria Rosairo Victoria De Guzman of the West Visayas State University College of Communication pointing out the professor’s feedback from various taxi drivers who were surveyed regarding the increase of motels and inns within the city near the high schools and universities.
De Guzman said that more youths are patronising the motels and inns – even on weekends and holidays. The bad part is the investigation showed that numerous students were still wearing their school uniforms.
Councilor Joshua Alim said an investigation into the matter is forthcoming and is being planned in coordination with local police.
De Guzman noted that local establishments do not hang out signs banning minors from their establishments – she also pointed out that Republic Act #7610 safeguards minors against prostitution, neglect, abuse, cruelty and exploitation.
The law also specifically says that anyone with a person less than 12 years old “OR who is 10 years his junior” cannot enter a hotel, motel, bar, disco, cabaret, pension house, sauna or massage parlor. The law also specifies that a person by the same standards cannot enter a tourist resort either.
Violators of Republic Act #7610 not only can face a 50,000 peso fine, but they can be imprisoned as well.
Businesses that allow minors to come into their property for the said offence can also face imprisonment and revocation of their operating licence.