THE Cagayan de Oro City Gender and Development (GAD) office is intensifying efforts to combat prostitution, a problem now exacerbated by social media.
Sol Paeste-Mosqueda, GAD focal person, said her office and City Mayor Rolando Uy are exploring ways to address the issue, which has become more complex due to technology, during Cagayan de Oro Press Club’s “Meet the Press” yesterday, July 16.
“Mas pa gyud ni karon (refers to prostitution) kay ang technology karon dili na nato mamonitor, sauna makita diritso kinsay bugaw,” Mosqueda said, noting the difficulty in identifying pimps now compared to the past.
She added that some cases even involve family members pimping victims, with exploitation occurring within victims' homes.
To tackle this persistent issue, the city government, under its Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) program, is drafting new Internal Rules and Regulations (IRR).
Mosqueda explained that this initiative is a collaborative effort with other government agencies to strengthen arrests of those involved in increasing prostitution cases.
Mosqueda expressed dismay that families are exploiting victims for financial gain through social media.
Barangay 35 is currently the only barangay to respond to GAD’s call for a zonal campaign against prostitution and child exploitation.
A 2022 report from the Commission on Population Development (CPD) indicated that there are 1,300 teenage pregnancies in Cagayan de Oro.
One of GAD’s interventions to address this is the installation of CCTV cameras and solar lights in barangays.
“Kay kung asa ang ngitngit didto mana sila,” Mosqueda said, implying that these areas are often havens for illicit activities.
Acting City Information Officer Jade Adecer affirmed the City Information Office's (CIO) support for GAD’s efforts.
He said they are conducting seminars and talks to promote campaigns against illegal prostitution in Oro.
“Kaning GAD talks, tanan ganap sa GAP didto nila isulod in collaboration with the CIO,” Adecer said.
He added that radio platforms will be utilized to extend the campaign’s reach to remote areas.
