IN LINE with the Pasko Fiesta celebration, Davao City will be including prostituted women as beneficiaries in the annual “Pahalipay” activities.

Davao City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) head Malou Bermudo said on Monday, November 12, that for a prostituted person to participate in the activities, they should have complied with the regular check-up and have their pink card to be included in the master list from the City Health Office (CHO).

“Actually, gina-require nato nga ang ilang pink card, dapat regular ang ilang check-up (Actually, we require them their pink cards and they should have their regular check-ups),” she said, adding that the city had been providing special “pahalipay” or activities for special groups such as the persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, the LGBT community, prostituted women, among others.

“We work with our CHO, sa community sa mga barangays, and the association itself,” Bermudo said.

Meanwhile, Bermudo said they go beyond the annual "Pahalipay" through programs that will help this women have an alternative livelihood.

“Part sila sa atong celebration. Of course, ginahimo nato ni once a year lang but we also go beyond that (They are part of the celebration. We have been doing this once a year but we go beyond that),” she said.

Bermudo said they have been conducting community-based programs to give opportunities for other livelihood. The city also provides educational assistance.

She added said some of these women finished trainings in the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).

“Eventually naay diversion ni sa ila, naa silay alternative for livelihood (These programs will eventually give them diversion and alternative for livelihood),” Bermudo said.