Despite tourist-capping, Boracay still vulnerable to child sex tourism

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Boracay Island is vulnerable from sexual exploitation in travel and child tourism (SECTT) despite putting a cap on the number of visitors.  

ECPAT Philippines made the statement days before the Boracay Island re-opening on October 26 to tourists. The island, one of the favorite spots in the country, continues to draw high number of tourists last year.

“The island is a tourist destination in the Philippines, and wherever there is a high influx of tourists, children are vulnerable. Limiting of tourist arrivals does not guarantee the elimination of SECTT as sex tourists may still be able to enter the island,” the group stressed.

In a study on the island’s carrying capacity, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources stressed that Boracay can only support 19,125 tourists on any given day.

ECPAT Philippines, which works mainly on sexual exploitation of children (SEC) prevention, children and youth empowerment and victim rehabilitation, has no exact extent of SEC in Boracay but there have been recorded cases.

“Anecdotal evidence also suggests that tourists ask community members how to procure sexual services from the children. This is unacceptable. We always say that with just one reported case of SECTT, hundreds more go unreported. One child is too many,” ECPAT said.

The group has made remarkable efforts to combat sexual exploitation such as Boracay Island. Still, there is a growing concern of child sex tourism.

ECPAT said “the key to eliminating SECTT is ensuring that child protection mechanisms are in place and functioning, that the local ordinance is implemented, that families, children and the communities are empowered and vigilant to protect themselves.”

Last January of this year, ECPAT successfully lobbied for the enactment of Tourism Child Protection Ordinance in Malay, Aklan which requires tourism establishments to implement a child protection policy to ensure that children won’t be exploited in their businesses.

Before the Boracay re-opening, ECPAT conducted a series of child-safe and protection education sessions for community leaders, tourism workers such as tour photographers, massage therapists, drivers, tour coordinators, boatmen, sail boat operators, and members of Aklan Port-based Anti-Trafficking task force.  

The group also conducted capacity building trainings for young people for them to plan and implement their own awareness-raising programs.

“These young people are now part of ECPAT Children and Youth Advocates (EYCA) which also has members in Quezon City, Angeles City and Bohol. We put high value on the empowerment of children to assert their protection and participation rights,” ECPAT said.