Davao City Councilor Pamela Librado-Morata, in a privileged speech on Tuesday, urged establishments to help protect children from abuse following the reported rescue of a minor from an establishment here.
She emphasized the responsibility of establishments when it comes to accommodating minors.
“In short, ang mga nanag-iya og mga hotels, inns, disco bars, nightclubs, sauna, spa, KTV lounge, ug sama niini nga mga establishments dili pwede magpasulod sa mga bata nga ang edad ubos sa 18 anyos nga walay kuyog na ginakanan o legal guardian (In short, owners of hotels, inns, disco bars, nightclubs, saunas, spas, KTV lounges, and similar establishments are not allowed to admit minors below 18 years old unless they are accompanied by their parents or legal guardian.),” she said.
She explained that business owners who fail to comply with this are in violation of Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.
“We must assert that business establishments that cater to minors without guardians will be deemed guilty of promoting or facilitating child prostitution and other forms of sexual abuse, child trafficking, obscene publications and indecent shows, and other acts of abuse,” she added.
Librado further said that establishments violating the same law may be promptly shut down and have their business license revoked.
She called on concerned authorities, such as the Davao City Police Office and NBI-SEMRO, to intensify their crackdown on establishments exploiting minors, and urged barangays to strengthen their monitoring efforts.
She also encouraged citizens across the city to report any suspicious activity involving minors in the said establishments. CIO
