LIPA CITY – Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles together with at least ten parish priests, residents, students and parents held a peaceful rally in front of the city hall here last Monday to oppose the proliferation of motels and lodges in the city.
 
In a simple mass celebrated at the city hall grounds, Arguelles calls on the local government to cancel or deny any application of business permits for the operation of motels in the city that allegedly serves as a front for prostitution.
 
“Dinadalangin ko po ang kinabukasan ng ating mga kabataang estudyante na nabibiktima ng mga matatandang lalaki na pawang ang tungo ay sa mga motel na yan,” Argulles said in his sermon.
 
Arguelles said he received information that many young prostitutes in the city come from prestigious schools including a Catholic-run university.
 
He said motel owners should examine their consciences and disallow any illegal activity in their establishments.
 
The civil actions stemmed after a planned transfer of New Paradise Motel in Barangay Dagatan to Barangay Lodlod was revealed.
 
“Itatayo kasi sa Barangay Dagatan ang Lipa City Public College kaya nagreklamo ang mga estudyante at faculty doon dahil makakatabi nila mismo ang naturang motel,” Arguelles said
 
Arguelles said the city government and the owner of the New Paradise Motel agreed that the establishment be transferred to Barangay Lodlod, which the residents resented.
 
Atty. Glen Mendoza, Lipa City administrator, said the local government will conduct an investigation on the alleged proliferation of young prostitutes frequenting motels. He added that city hall has stopped issuing business permits for new motel establishments.

Lipa has six existing motels and lodges since the time of Lipa Mayor Vilma Santos-Recto
 
“Since our Mayor Oscar Gozos resumed the post wala na siyang inaprubahang bagong permit para sa mga bagong motel, lahat ng nag-ooperate ngayon dito sa Lipa ay may existing business permit na,” Mendoza said.
 
Mendoza likewise said that they could not just close any establishment because they complied with the requirements needed to operate a legitimate business.
 
“Ang gagawin po namin sa New Paradise Motel ay hindi pagdadagdag kundi ito lamang ay paglilipat ng pwesto na may existing legal business permit na,” he said.
 
Mendoza assured Archbishop Arguelles that they will make the necessary action if in case there will be reported cases of prostitution in the said motel and other lodges in the city.
 
“Lagi naman po tayong nagsasagawa ng operasyon laban sa prostitusyon lalong lalo na sa plaza ng Lipa, at kasama kami ng simbahan sa adhikaing masawata ang imoralidad sa ating lungsod,” he said.