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Thursday, November 27, 2003
Rise in STIs seen sans ordinance: Treņas
By Ronilo Ladrido Pamonag
CASES of sexually-transmitted infections in Iloilo City is likely to increase if the City Government does away with the mandatory "100 percent condom use" and weekly smearing tests of commercial sex workers (CSWs) and guest relations officers (GROs).
"I think that is what the City Council and the proponents of Ordinance 237 saw, that without the condom use, there might be an increase in the number of STDs," Mayor Jerry Treņas said, reacting to the demand lawyer Romeo Gerochi to get rid of the weekly tests on GROs.
The mayor echoed Councilor Erwin Plagata's sentiment that public health is at stake if the provisions on condom use and smearing are scrapped.
As he was speaking, about 30 members of women's group Gabriela-Panay held a picket Tuesday in front of the City Hall to call for the suspension of
Ordinance 2002-237, "An Ordinance Promulgating Policies for the Prevention of STI/HIV/Aids, Strengthening the Iloilo City STI/Aids Council (Isac), Its Powers and Functions and Providing Appropriation For Such Purpose."
It provides, among others, that management of nightspots should make available condoms and ensure that their GROs undergo weekly smearing tests with the Social Hygiene Clinic, and that they educate their clients about safe sex and the use of condoms.
Their protest came after Gerochi wrote the mayor in behalf of his client,
Sandpipers KTV and Music Lounge in Mandurriao, complaining of the "discriminatory" and "degrading" smear tests their GROs are made to undergo every week.
"The aforesaid Ordinance is oppressive and discriminatory and violates the human rights of guest relations officers (GROs) and as they are being classified and given the stigma of prostitutes, when they are not," Gerochi said in the letter.
The ordinance, he said, makes it appear that his client is engaged in prostitution.
But the mayor said, "We are trying to make sure that Iloilo City is safe from
Aids (Acquired Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome)."
Treņas vowed that City Hall will pursue the enforcement of the ordinance despite the calls for its amendment or suspension.
He said that he has not received any communication asking for the suspension of the enforcement of the ordinance.
On Gerochi's demand to amend the ordinance, the mayor said, "that will really depend on the council. They passed it for public interest and safety."
(November 27, 2003 issue)
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