PB OKs measure vs child sex tourism

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Board has approved on final reading an ordinance that seeks to penalize child sex tourism and other acts of child exploitation in Cebu.

Sponsored by Vice Governor Agnes Magpale and co-sponsored by Board Member Peter John Calderon, the “2014 Anti-Child Sex Tourism Ordinance of the Province of Cebu,” was passed during the PB’s regular session yesterday.

Magpale is vice chairperson of the Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children while Calderon sits as member of the PB’s Committee on Women, Family and Minors.

As contained in the newly-approved measure, violators of the ordinance get a one-year jail term and a P5,000 fine.

“This penalty shall not preclude the application of other administrative penalties, as prescribed by other existing law,” read the ordinance.

The ordinance penalizes those who “organize, promote or conduct sex tours or travel packages in which a child is included for the purpose of matching him or her for sex or any sex-related conduct or behavior; sell, trade, barter, offer or give a child to any tourist for sex, with or without any consideration.”

It likewise prohibits those who “employ or hire a child to work in a tourism or commercial establishment that may unnecessarily expose the child to sex tourism or exploitation” and those who “allow a child to perform lascivious or lewd shows before any electronic audio-video device for whatever purpose.”

Taking a photo or video of a child in nudity or “in sexy and skimpy attire for pornographic purpose” is likewise penalized.

Under the measure, “sex tour package” is defined as a tour or travel package “especially intended for a tourist or a group of tourists with an accompanying offer for sexual adventure or pleasure.”

Meanwhile, another ordinance declaring the first week of October every year as the “Anti-child Sex Tourism Week” in the province has also been enacted by the PB.

The ordinance aims to raise awareness t on the evils of child sex tourism, and encourage active involvement and participation of all sectors in the community for vigilance, protection, and prevention against any forms of sexual exploitation of children.

The ordinance was also authored by Magpale with Calderon as co-author.  (FREEMAN)