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SCMP Reporter

IN a further step to stamp out prostitution, Manila Mayor Mr Alfredo Lim has tabled new legislation that would penalise their clients.

    Starting next month, the city wants to levy fines of up to 5,000 pesos (HK$1,525) and jail sentences of up to one year on men found to be with prostitutes.

   Prostitutes also face the same penalties.

   ''It takes two to tango in the prostitution business. It would make the customer think not only twice but 10 times more before engaging in this kind of activity,'' Mr Lim said.

   Mr Rafaelipo Gerayblas, the Mayor's executive secretary and chief of the task force charged with policing the targeted bars, said a copy of the proposed ordinance had been sent to city council for approval.

    Last week, Manila city council passed a by-law banning the girlie bars from Ermita, a seedy district which municipal and tourism officials want to transform.

    But the law is several weeks from being put into effect, and it includes a three-month grace period to allow bar owners to convert their premises into legitimate businesses.

    Yesterday, the city re-issued an invitation to unemployed bar girls to apply to the city as metro aides, or street sweepers.

    About 1,000 vacancies are available but monthly salaries are only in the 2,500-peso range - far less than what can be made in the bars. ''The girls can't afford to be choosy. They have to start somewhere,'' Mr Lim said.

    Since Mr Lim's clean-up campaign began, about 80 bars in Ermita and nearby areas have been closed down. Three or four have managed to secure restraining orders allowing them to stay open for now.



Prostitutes' clients targeted