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.
