Sex trade in Palawan alarms bishop

MANILA, Philippines - Puerto Princesa Bishop Pedro Arigo yesterday urged authorities to prevent Palawan from being turned into a place for sex tourism.

“Palawan is an eco-tourism destination and not for sex tourism,” Arigo said as he expressed worry the province has begun to show signs of catering to sex tourism.

Arigo said while there are benefits for having a thriving tourism economy, he complained about child exploitation and sex tourism problem in the province.

He said he often saw Filipino women in the company of male tourists and he raised concern that they are being used for prostitution.

The Palawan bishop appealed to the authorities to maintain the wholesome image of the province.

“Let us keep tourism wholesome, healthy, and clean. This has been our reminder, but whenever I go around I would see foreigners who are accompanied by locals, hopefully these partners are not from Puerto Princesa,” Arigo said.

He urged authorities to show determination to prevent sex tourism.

Prostitution is a problem in many parts of the country, not just in Palawan.

The United Nations estimates that some 100,000 children in the country work in the sex trade each year.