Prostituted women

THE INTEGRATED Gender and Development Division (IGDD) backed the lawmakers move to remove the Davao City government’s policy of requiring occupational permits for women in prostitution.

IGDD head Lorna Mandin said the move has finally reached in the Sangguniang Panglungsod after years of advocacy

“Ang among opisina mosuporta sa unsang pamaagi and we also coordinate with other offices and LGU paunsa sya ma concretize,” Mandin said during Ispeak on March 6.

Mandin said prostitution, in any way, is illegal as stipulated in the Women’s Development Code of the City.

Chapter II, Article 18 of the Code says: “Prostitution shall be recognized as a violation of human rights and exploitation of women who have no real choices for survival.”

Mandin stressed that payment of annual occupational fee from prostituted women is an irony, provided the City Code clearly prohibits such act.

While the proposed removal of occupational permits is considered, these workers still have to comply with the health card.

“Health card is a requirement, we know all workers have to get a health certificate so as not to compromise public health,” she said.

Along with the discussion on removal of occupational permits, the office also eyes to address the stigma on “pink cards.”

Workers whose nature of work is entertaining others, regardless of whether or not sexual acts are involved, are issued the pink cards from the City Health Office.

These cards are renewed annually and the holders are to undergo basic laboratory tests including stool and urine tests, and extra laboratory tests are conducted like Hepatitis B and Veneral Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) for those workers with possible involvement of sexual acts.

VDRL test is to see whether the patient has syphilis, an infection transferrable through sexual activities.

Mandin said there is a gap in the alignment of local laws which is in this case the Women Development Code and the requirement of the national law which is the revenue code and the sanitation.

“All agencies will have to sit down to align the laws,” she said.

IGDD hinted at plans to revisit and review the Women’s Development Code as it turns 30 years since its establishment in 1994.

Councilor wants occupational permit for women in prostitution removed

A LAWMAKER here pushed to remove the city government’s policy of requiring occupational permits for women in prostitution.

In a privilege speech, Councilor Pamela Librado-Morata said collecting fees from the vulnerable sector contradicts the Women’s Development Code or City Ordinance No. 5004, which strictly prohibits the commodification of women.

Librado stressed to examine the provision through a gender lens and align local policies with legal and moral commitments.

“By requiring an occupational permit and collecting fees from prostituted women, we are effectively sanctioning an act that both national and local laws recognize as exploitation,” the committee chair on civil, political and human rights said.

The move follows the formal request of Talikala Inc., a Davao City-based, women-led non-profit organization combatting exploitation, trafficking, and prostitution of women and children.

Jeanette Laurelo-Ampog, executive director of Talikala, called for the amendment or removal of a specific provision in Section 229, Article 27 of Ordinance No. 0291-17, otherwise known as the 2017 Revenue Code of Davao City—the Occupational Permit requirement for women in prostitution.

The councilor said the matter reflects a legal and moral inconsistency in the local governance.

She added it violates the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, which penalizes the procurement and exploitation of persons for sexual purposes.

“We are therefore compelled to ask: How can the City Government collect a revenue fee from an exploitative or illegal activity? A fee imposed to regulate an illegal act may itself be considered void,” she added.

To secure this permit, one is required to fill out application forms, secure health certificates, and obtain employment certifications—each requiring separate procedures and additional costs which total expenses can exceed P4,000 annually.

Citing data as of 2023, approximately 600 women are registered under these permits as guest relation officers (GROs), massage attendants, or “taxi dancers.”“These are not mere statistics.

These are 600 lives navigating vulnerability, exploitation, and systemic barriers, while paying the government to do so,” she said.

Librado said there is a need to shift from regulation to development, citing Section 16 of the Women’s Development Code.The section seeks to provide socio-economic support to women in the entertainment industry, including those working in nightclubs, bars, and resorts.

The support includes immediate health assistance; alternative livelihood programs; and continuous protection against discrimination and gender-based violence.

“Our role is not to tax vulnerability. Our mandate is to create pathways out of exploitation. Let us ensure that we do not continue collecting revenue at the expense of women’s dignity,” she stressed.

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IGDD backs call to remove occupational permits of women in prostitution

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