Palawan is and will remain a tourism-friendly destination. That is why Palawan provincial board member Cherry Pie Acosta issued a clarification over misinformation about her proposal to prohibit wearing of thong bikinis within the jurisdiction of the popular beach destination.
In a live phone-patch interview with radio anchor Vic Lima aired over radio station DZMM on Wednesday (March 21), Acosta clarified that the proposed policy applies only to public areas like schools and churches, not including beaches and resorts, as many news sites have earlier reported.
“Ang nais lang po nating i-prohibit dito, ‘yung paglalakad ng ating mga turista na nais makita ang ganda ng Palawan, ‘yung t-back na along po sa mga eskuwelahan natin, malapit sa simbahan (We want to prohibit tourists from strolling along our streets in their t-backs, especially in areas near schools and churches),” she said.
Maintaining a wholesome environment
Acosta reiterated that the proposed provincial resolution is aimed at protecting children and conservative locals, who may find wearing skimpy swimwear in public places as inappropriate and offensive. She said people in their t-backs should first put on tops to cover their bikinis if they want to roam around and stroll along public areas beyond the beachfront.
“We want to maintain a wholesome family environment in Palawan,” Acosta said. She added that the provincial government understands and respects tourists’ personal views and beliefs and in return, the latter must also respect the local culture and tradition.
Anti-PDA resolution
The proposed resolution is yet to be approved by Palawan’s provincial board. This proposal is related to another proposed resolution to the provincial board, which asks Palawan’s 23 municipalities to ban “the conduct of sexual acts along seashore areas.”
For the other resolution, Acosta said the proposal is beyond the common public display of affection (known as PDA’s in street lingo) of couples. She clarified that some people do indecent and scandalous acts with their partners on the beach especially at night.
Acosta explained that this other proposed resolution stemmed from an actual incident in Barangay Port Barton—where she lives—wherein a couple (a Filipino and a foreigner) did lewd acts on the beach within one of the resorts, while other people were looking at them.