US AMBASSADOR to the Philippines Harry Thomas, Jr. may have exaggerated in his statement, but that doesn’t mean the problem of sexual tourism in the country does not exist.
In a text message sent to Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario the US envoy said: “I am sending you a response expressing regret for my comments. I should not have used the 40 percent statistic without the ability to back it up. I regret any harm that I may have caused.”
US Embassy spokeswoman Tina Malone meanwhile said the United States would continue to be a “strong and dedicated partner of the Filipino people in combating the global scourges of human trafficking and sexual tourism.”
The US envoy irked some Philippine officials when he said that 40 percent of male tourists visit the Philippines for sex, and implying that the country is heaven for sex admirers in a conference last month.
The statement made by the ambassador have resulted public officials to be pugnaciously at odds with him.
Although he failed to provide facts to back his previous statements, Ambassador Thomas’ statement was still based on something. Sexual tourism is just as alarming as the growing numbers of HIV/STD cases in the country.
For an under-developed country like the Philippines, tourism is a way to significantly earn foreign exchange and boost its economy. Realizing that tourism as an influential factor in the Philippine economy, the government is vigorously promoting tourism and poured substantial amounts of government funds to fuel this industry.
Sexual tourism is a serious impediment to the country’s plight to capitalize in its tourism. Despite present government policies to prevent prostitution, the country is still powerless to fight sexual tourism in the face of a constant demand.
The consequence of this kind of tourism is diverse. The damage it may bring to the social and culture fabric of the Philippine society cannot be overstated.
The fact is, sexual tourism is an issue which is not only restricted to the tourism sector but to the entire society including, families, schools and other organizations. This is on all fronts and in all the corners of the country.
The Philippine government does not and will not condone such kind of tourism.
In Thailand, of the 60 percent male visitors the country receives each year, 70% are sex tourists. It may be too late for Thailand to detach itself from this stigma. As for the Philippines, the challenge of diminishing sexual tourism is a must—before someone presents a concrete and credible statistics to support Ambassador Thomas’ 40 percent figure.
The country has more than what it takes to push its tourism to the next level. The beaches are unspoiled, the people are friendly, and ample amount of infrastructure development is provided for to create a haven for tourists. There is no reason to resort to sexual tourism.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Midweek Oct 12-14, 2011 Sec A pg. 6)