CEBU, Philippines - Acting governor Agnes Magpale reminded the public about an ordinance prohibiting the holding of bikini events and other indecent shows during the Holy Week.
The observance of the Holy Week falls on the last week of March, which is also declared as Women’s Month.
Magpale, the chairman of the Provincial Women’s Commission, said that local government officials should monitor activities and events in their areas. She said that local officials should not grant permits to any bikini show because holding such violates the Women’s Development Code of the provincial government.
Magpale is the author of the Provincial Ordinance 2005-18 known as the Provincial Women’s Code (PWC).
She said she immediately turned down a proposal from an organizer who recently asked her if she would execute a permit for a bikini show.
Suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia used the ordinance as basis in filing cases against organizers and guests of a controversial bikini show held in Sta. Fe town during the Holy Week in 2009.
As the PWC is scheduled to convene soon, Magpale is reminding the police and local officials to monitor areas with events scheduled during the Holy Week.
Except for bikini shows, Magpale also said that do not have any hold on other party events during the Lenten Season, reminding the youth and women to be cautious and not to go overboard.
Events and activities during the Holy Week are anticipated in the province but these should not involved indecency, she said.
According to Article 1 Section 3 of the Provincial Women’s Code, “beauty contests and other activities in schools, barangays and other areas that tend to commodity, abuse, humiliate and treat women as sex objects are prohibited.â€
The ordinance stated that organizers of the lewd events like bikini competitions would be slapped with penalties, including the revocation of business permits.
Yesterday, Magpale’s efforts for the protection of women were recognized in an event at the Police Regional Office-7.
Magpale extended her gratitude to the PRO-7 leadership for the recognition, saying she hopes to see more women in uniform.
With more women leading their way in other professions, Magpale said there are not enough women in key positions in the police force.
Magpale said that police officials informed her that there were at least three women who had a rank of a three-star official. But she said that the number can be increased.
Magpale said as a way to help more women join the police force, she donated 50 medical gowns to be used by women who would undergo physical examination upon applying for the police.
“These little things gamay ra siguro. But it matters to us, she said. — AJ de la Torre /LPM (FREEMAN)