Hotel, Inn, Shed Owners Told to Keep Minors Away this Valentine’s Day

Dagupan City (PNA)—In this coming Valentine’s Day, the City Population Office (CPO) advised owners of hotels, inns and for-rent picnic shed to shoo away minors in their establishments and not to sell intoxicated drinks to anyone checking in their respective establishment.

Alex De Venecia,’CPO head, made the advice in view of the coming “Valentine’s Day” celebration on Feb. 14, which is considered as the season when most hotels, inns and sheds, especially at Tondaligan Park here, are occupied.

De Venecia called on owners of these establishments to prohibit minors checking in their respective establishments unaccompanied by their parents by persons who must be their lovers or partners.

Although there is no approved ordinance on this matter yet, it is one way of reiterating the advocacy of CPO discouraging teenage pregnancy here.

De Venecia admitted that his office sought for the passage of a city ordinance prohibiting minors from entering hotels, inns or sheds without the company of their parents or guardians.

“Such ordinance was proposed and there were two committee hearings held but there were oppositions from the establishment owners and until now this was not yet passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP)”, said De Venecia.

His proposal stemmed from the big number of teenage pregnancy in the city based on the survey conducted last 2013.

The city recorded 318 teenage pregnancy cases with barangays Pantal, Tapuac, Bonuan Gueset, Carael and Bonuan Boquig registering the highest cases among the other 26 barangays of the city.

De Venecia said the number decreased since the city government through his office launched teenage pregnancy seminars in the secondary schools across the city.

“In one barangay, there were 16 cases of child pregnancy noted in 2013. With the seminars conducted, only two were registered in that village”, said De Venecia.

He advised the youth to wait for the right time to avoid the consequences of teenage pregnancy or teenage parenting.

“Love does not necessarily mean sexual contact, it can be expressed in some other ways like on Valentine’s day, one can express love by giving flowers, chocolates or greeting cards”, said De Venecia.

He suggested that if it cannot be avoided, lovers checking in these establishments must use contraceptives for their own protection. (PNA) RMA/LVM/HILDA AUSTRIA/1735/RMA