Poverty forcing Ifugao girls as young as 14 into prostitution

BAGUIO CITY — Sex with prostitutes in Ifugao, which is touted to be the most visited destination in the Cordillera region because of the Rice Terraces, might be the cheapest in the country.

For only P30, men can engage the sexual services of girls, lamentably some as young as 14 to 16 years old.

The sex trysts occur in vacant lots, empty buildings, below the government-run Ifugao College of Arts and Trade, and even on the banks of the famous Ibulao River.

Most of the girls have been infected with various sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), reports said.

The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) has reported an increase in child prostitution in Ifugao, which the Department of Social Welfare and Development blames on poverty.

The minors, the PIA said, hang around videoke bars and sell themselves for only P30 or for a few drinks.

Customers are usually tricycle drivers, construction workers and even policemen.

A government report also noted that child prostitutes are also moonlighting in the towns of Lagawe, Lamut, Banaue and Kiangan. The provincial government is monitoring at least 50 sex workers.

The social welfare office in Ifugao said young girls from far-flung villages are forced into prostitution because of lack of livelihood and education opportunities in their towns.

Almost half of Ifugaos are reportedly living and working outside the province due to dire economic conditions.

According to the PIA, most of the sex workers nabbed by the police refuse to go back to their impoverished homes, saying that they at least earn something by selling their bodies.

Ifugao Gov. Teodoro Baguilat Jr. said he has received reports that minors in Banaue’s videoke bars are engaged in the sex trade.

However, the PIA said, the Ifugao government is now in a quandary on what appropriate actions to take to address the problem.

A task force headed by Baguilat plans to identify all the reported child prostitutes in the area and subject them to medical check-ups and treatment.

A massive information campaign will also be launched to educate sex customers about STDs and safe sex.