ILOILO City – While prostitution is illegal, the city government’s Taskforce on Morals and Values Formation is dealing with this societal problem with utmost practicality. The oldest profession in the world, after all, could not be eliminated easily.
Thus this Dinagyang season the taskforce is just requiring commercial sex workers to secure “green cards” from health authorities as guarantee that they are free from sexually transmitted infections.
“Green cards are issued to freelance sex workers after they have complied with the requirements such as passing a medical examination at the city’s Social Hygiene Clinic,” said taskforce head Nestor Canong.
The taskforce is monitoring commercial sex workers every night on Arroyo, Ledesma, Valeria, Delgado, and Mabolo streets in the City Proper, and in Arevalo district.
In the City Proper, the taskforce was able to account around 100 freelance sex workers, and in Arevalo, more than 30.
“It is good that they are the ones reaching out to us and inquiring about securing green cards,” said Canong.
The taskforce is also inspecting male and female commercial sex workers in nightclubs.
“Safe sila. But we know may iban pa nga gapulopanago, natahap nga dakpon. They have nothing to fear. Importante i-comply nila nga mga requirements. Open ang aton office, ang City Health Office kag ang Social Hygiene Clinic para sa ila,” said Canong./PN
