Commercial sex workers in Iloilo City dwindling

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

IS THIS good news or what?

The dwindling number of nightclubs, which eventually led to the decrease in the number of commercial sex workers in Iloilo City, is being linked to the advent of the internet and social media, according to Task Force on Moral Values Formation (TFMVF) head George Duron.

Duron said that the popularity of social media is one of the possible reasons for the decrease in the number of commercial sex workers in the city.

“Siguro isa man ka rason ang social media sa pagnubo sang ila nga numero kay grabe man daan once makuhaan ka and ma-post sa social media makita na dayon sang tanan,” he said.

Data from TFMVF showed a 72 percent decrease in the number of commercial sex workers, from 250 in 2018 to 181 this year.

Out of the 181 CSWs, 91 are in nightclubs, 41 in massage parlors and 30 in casas or “brothels.”

According to Duron, one of the factors in the decrease is the mandatory closure of bars, nightclubs, and restaurants by 2 a.m.

Due to the dwindling nightclub industry in the metro, Duron said CSWs are now moving outside of Iloilo.

“Laban nga sex workers gapangayaw sa iban nga lugar amo na nga nagdyutay kay kung makita mo sa night club, gamay ang mga tawo so mapirde ang management, amo na kit-an niyo ang iban nag-close na lang,” he said.

Duron said that the decrease is also attributed to a lifestyle shift of Ilonggos, especially drinking and partying in leisure areas like Smallville in Mandurriao district.

“Isa man ka rason daw naglain na ang ila lifestyle. They prefer to go sa Smallville, Megaworld, or Esplanade. Most of the adults have lost their interest in nightclubs and prefer to go drinking instead. Subong, mas gusto nila ang drinking, kung makita mo pati ang babayi gainom,” he said.

Meanwhile, Duron assured that all CSWs in the city have pink cards, which is proof that they are free from any infections.

“Strikto ang aton implementation of pink cards here in the city. Every week dapat ang commercial sex workers ginaensure nga naga-practice sila social hygiene,” he said.