Sex in exchange for a tub of fish.

As the economy takes a turn for the worst, more and more rural women are driven to prostitution with some giving sexual favors in exchange for fish, rice, and even coffee.

The Center for Women’s Resources (CWR), a research and training institute for women, said it has received reports of increased incidence of prostitution in rural areas where food is planted and grown.

“The financial crisis has aggravated the condition of impoverished rural women. Although they produce food for the country, they cannot cope with the crisis because, to start with, they are landless and have been earning so little,” CWR executive director Jojo Guan said in a press statement.

“We have been receiving reports that in some parts in Southern Tagalog, women in fishing communities have resorted to provide 'massage service' to foreigners in private resorts in exchange for money,” he said.

A “massage” in the beach could earn them P300. But if done inside the room, they are paid P700.

But a service could go beyond a “massage.” Allegedly, the women are paid P1,500 to provide sexual “favors” for the customers. Owners of the private resort where the “services” are conducted, even get a commission.

Further, the husbands - who used to be fishermen but are now boatmen bringing tourists to the resorts - are even the ones who “look” for customers who want to get a “massage.”

“Rural women are vulnerable to prostitution because of their impoverished situation. Farmers and fisherman comprise the poorest sector of our country. And across basic sectors, women and children account for the largest poor population,” Guan said.

A CWR study conducted in 2008 shows that, despite the implementation of Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), rural women remain landless because land inequality remains high and cancellation of titles is rampant. The conversion of land and seashores to ecotourism and industrial use has also contributed to food insecurity of rural women and their families.

CWR also expressed concern over the possible increase in prostitution when the upcoming US-RP Balikatan military exercises will be held in Bicol this summer.

“With the presence of US troops in areas where poverty is high, women are vulnerable to ply the sex trade. In the past, bars mushroomed in areas near the US bases for the foreign troops’ “R & R” (rest and recreation), and prostitution was rampant,” Guan said.

“This coming March 8, women will once again commemorate the International Women’s Day. It is a good time, more than ever, for Filipino women to unite and declare their resistance to all policies that are threatening them to hunger and those that threaten their security, such as the Visiting Forces Agreement."