EBU CITY, (PNA) - The reactivated Cebu City Anti-Indecency Board (CAIB) will official start its mission this week, by reminding some business owners of the existing ordinance against indecency.
Dr. Lucille Mercado, the new CAIB Chairperson, said the organization will be coordinating with business establishments, particularly beer houses, bars, theaters, publications, DVD stores, spas and massage parlors and make these establishments be aware of anti-indecency regulations.
"The usual excuse right now being made by a lot of people is that they don't know there is an existing ordinance, so, we will make sure that the establishments are informed about such ordinatnce so that they will be forewarned," Mercado said.
She said the CAIB does not intend to make it difficult for people to do business in the city, but merely wants business owners to help make the city "livable and sustainable."
Mercado earlier vowed to have business establishment in the city that is bad for public morals shuttered. These establishments particularly include massage parlors that offer lingam (which specializes in massaging the private parts of male customers) or yoni (the female version of lingam) massage services, which fall under acts prohibited by the anti-indecency ordinance.
The former CAIB Chairman, Dr. Rene Josef Bullecer, advised Mercado to see to it that CAIB gets the full support not only of the city mayor, but also the Cebu City council.
"That's what happened to us before, we had the mayor's blessing, but some councilors refused to support our activities," Bullecer said.
He also said operating funds for CAIB, estimated at P500,000 annually, should be given at the start of the year to make the Board more effective.
Bullecer also advised Mercado to tie up with different offices at City Hall, particularly the City Treasurer's Office, the Liquor Licensing Division and Office of the Building Official, among others, to ensure coordinate action which would ensure effectivity of CAIB's operations.
He suggested that the new CAIB head initiate working partnership with neighboring cities in Metro Cebu so that anti-indecency laws can be updated and enforced metro-wide.
Bullecer admitted that during his time, CAIB operations were limited since the Board didn't have the full support of City Hall officials as well as adequate funds.
He advised his successor not to be intimidated by business owners, many being close to officials in City Hall and to stay determined in implementing the law.
