BY:
BY FERLIZA CALIZAR-CONTRATISTA
CEBU CITY, Aug. 20 (PIA) --- Cebu made
a resounding commitment for a Child Wise Tourism in the province.
This after thousands of Cebuanos from
different parts of the province joined a caravan on Aug. 17 covering one
municipality and three cities bringing with them banners, leaflets, balloons,
shirts, and caps bearing one strong message which is "NO to Child
Sex Tourism."
The caravan passed by the following
local government units: Municipality of Cordova, Lapulapu City in the
island of Mactan, and cities of Mandue and Cebu.
Cordova, a fishing municipality, made
headlines recently after the clandestine industry on internet pornography
involving children was exposed to be operating in the town.
On the other hand, Lapulapu City has
over 60 resorts and hotels and an average of 3,000 tourists quarterly.
Mandaue and Cebu cities have facilities
and services catering to the tourism industry.
Maria Rica Bueno, director of Office of
Tourism Standards and Regulations of the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Cebu
is becoming a prime tourist destination in Asia and in the whole world.
The Philippines, as a whole, has a
rising market economy because of tourism accomplishments.
“But despite the good news, much more
is to be done to sustain and most specially in containing the downside of
tourism, to protect our national treasure, our children,” Bueno said.
She said there is a need to get the
support of local government units to continue the advocacy since they are the
ones who can monitor closely the front liners of the tourism industry.
She said street children are at a high
risk of being lured into the sex trade.
The ages of children involved in
pornography and sex videography are getting younger, Bueno added.
Josephine Alforque, advocacy officer of
End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for
Sexual Purposes (ECPAT), said that sex tourism is a lucrative industry whose
growth is driven by the demand for children in tourist destination.
“The Philippines has long been a target
of foreign men seeking sex with children and is regarded as one of the
traditional CST destinations,” Alforque said.
She said that unlike adult
prostitution, the child prostitute is always the victim.
“There are no excuses for the sexual
exploitation of children at any time and any place, that is why we measure our
success with the cooperation of the local government units who are on their own
crafting setting up local legislations addressing the issue,” Alforque said.
Grace Paulino, Cebu Provincial Tourism
Officer, said Cebu already has a Women and Children’s Code that covers
children’s protection and development.
She said that for such a long time now,
the provincial government has been vigilant not only in advocating but also in
reminding tourist facilities not to tolerate the existence of child sex
tourists.
Lapulapu City Tourism Officer Hembler
Mendoza said they also have a local ordinance for women and children and they
constantly meet with hotel and resort owners for security reasons and share
reports of suspicious looking tourists.
Cordova Vice Mayor Mary Therese
Sitoy-Cho, for her part, said the CWT is a welcome initiative since her town
needs all the help from the local, national, and international levels to stop
the child sex industry from proliferating.
“This is not an easy problem so we
really need their help and we are thankful that they can assist specially in
making our residents understand the danger and then to give them alternative if
the reason is always financial or poverty,” according to the Vice Mayor.
Teodolo Romo, Assistant Secretary of
the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), said they had always
been a partner with DOT and other agencies in empowering the disadvantaged.
“DSWD is deeply involved with DOT with
the 5.2 million assistance for poor households particularly those living within
or near tourist sites,” Romo said.
During the launching at the historical
Plaza Independencia, a Covenant of Commitment for the Protection of Children in
Tourism was signed by representatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP),
Department of Education (DepEd), DSWD, LGUs, and partner agencies.
There were also contests by students
such as poster making, Larong Pinoy, and Cosplay Competition.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama reiterated
the call to value the children by singing the song “Greatest Love of All” in
his welcome remarks.
A press conference was then conducted
at RADISSON Blue Hotel with its General Manager Lyle Lewis giving the assurance
that their chain of hotels is a supporter of CWT.
CWT Program was established in 2001
encouraging tourists and the public not to turn a blind eye to situations
wherein children are placed at risk.
The public can report suspicious incidents that might lead to
child sex prostitution to a 24 hour-hotline: 0919-777-7377. (rmn/FCC/PIA-Cebu)