Albay gov't gives out 'conjugal access cards' to married evacuees

MANILA, Philippines — The Albay provincial government will distribute "conjugal access cards" to couples in evacuation centers amid a raised alert level 3 due to the potentially dangerous behavior of the Mayon Volcano.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said that the local government may soon rent out motel units for married evacuees to avoid incidences that children witness couples doing the sexual act in areas around the evacuation camps.

"Rerenta siguro kami ng mga motel, next week pa naman," Salceda said in an interview Wednesday on ANC.

The access cards, however, will only be given to the women, implying an effort to thwart occasions of sexual abuse.

Local authorities, however, do not have measures to ensure that only married couples are given discounted or free access to the rooms.

"It's up to her," Salceda said, referring to any woman who will secure a conjugal access card.

Salceda said that the project was first explored in 2009 when the volcano manifested similar signs of possible eruption.

About 11,255 families were moved from within the 8-kilometer radius and other vulnerable areas near the Mayon.