ILOILO City – Accommodation establishments that allow minors to check in this Valentine’s Day face closure, hefty fines, permit revocation, and possible criminal charges as the city government intensifies inspections to curb potential child exploitation and abuse.
The Task Force on Moral and Values Formation has been monitoring operations in anticipation of a surge in lodge and inn occupancy, strictly enforcing Iloilo City Regulation Ordinance No. 2015-447, which bars persons below 18 from being admitted to private rooms unless accompanied by family members.
Task Force head Nestor Canong said inspections started shortly after the Jaro Fiesta on February 2, ahead of the Valentine’s rush.
“This is one of the activities we are focusing on because we expect more couples to go to these places to celebrate Valentine’s Day,” Canong said. “We talk to the owners, the room boys, the reception staff, and especially the guards, because they are the first ones who encounter private cars, taxis, tricycles, and even motorcycles. They are instructed to make sure that no minors are allowed to enter their establishments.”
He stressed that compliance with the ordinance is non-negotiable.
“That is what we always do — continuous reminders. We are strictly implementing City Ordinance 2015-447, which regulates accommodation establishments,” he said.
Under the ordinance, minors are prohibited from being admitted to private rooms or cubicles of motels, hotels, inns, and lodging houses unless accompanied by family members, a safeguard meant to prevent child exploitation and other abuses.
Canong warned operators against taking chances.
“Aside from closure, there are large fines, cancellation of permits, and they can also be charged in court for allowing minors inside,” he said.
Monitoring, he added, is conducted year-round through regular and random inspections.
“We conduct regular and random inspections of establishments. We check their health cards, permits, hygiene practices, and rooms to ensure these lodging houses are safe and compliant. We do this randomly so they cannot anticipate our inspections,” Canong said.
There are currently 22 lodging houses operating in Iloilo City, all of which have committed to strictly enforce the no-minors policy, particularly during Valentine’s Day.
Minors found inside lodging establishments in violation of the ordinance may be rescued and turned over to the City Social Welfare and Development Office, while erring owners and managers will face corresponding penalties, Canong said.
City authorities said the intensified campaign underscores a zero-tolerance stance against establishments that compromise child protection laws under the guise of seasonal business spikes./PN
