Public hearing set on proposed amendment to CAIB ordinance

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council has invited law professors, newspaper editors, church groups, and other concerned parties to a public hearing next month on the proposed amendment of the ordinance to strengthen the mandate of the City Anti-Indecency Board.

Councilor Leah Japson has proposed to amend City Ordinance 1408 which created the CAIB. Japson proposed to amend sections 3, 6, 7, 8, and 12 of the ordinance to give more teeth to the city government’s campaign against indecency.

 “There is an urgent need to supplement and strengthen the present drive against anti-indecencies to cope with the changing times and proliferation of the aforementioned activities including the selling of sex toys and the likes, steady increase of SPA and massage parlors offering “Lingam” and “Yoni” massage and other activities,” Japson said.

She said that the “city government should put a stamp of its imprimatur to timely address this social problem especially that it involves the vulnerable members of the society.”

The proposed amendments seek to stop all matters relating to whatever forms of indecency, lewdness, obscenity, and pornography in the city.

“The Board or its duly authorized members or deputies shall conduct frequent inspections and investigations on all bookstores, magazine shops/stands, newspaper stands, adult stores, theatres (including mini theaters), nightclubs, beerhouses, KTV/cocktail lounges, Spa and Massage Parlors or massage clinics, sauna bath parlors and other similar establishments in order to determine whether or not indecent, lewd, or obscene shows, dances, Spa and massage services and other performances, whether live or in films or video tapes are being exhibited, shown, or performed in these establishments, or are being provided within the confines of the private rooms or cubicles of such Spa and Massage parlors,” the proposed ordinance read.

“For this purpose, owners, managers or promoters shall give full and unconditional access to the board or its duly authorized members or deputies in order to conduct inspection of their establishments at any time of the day or night even without any prior court order,” it added.

The public hearing is set on October 8.

City administrator and CAIB head Dr. Lucelle Mercado said that the amendment of the existing ordinance has been long overdue.

“Dugay na namo gi-propose ang amendment to make it more responsive sa karong panahona,” she said.

Mercado said that the board is hopeful that the amendment will be approved.

“Ang amendment ani man gud because there are things nga bag-o karon nga wala sa una like sexual accessories, kina-hanglan ang amendment para maka-respond ta sa present situation,” she said. (FREEMAN)