ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Mar 4 (PIA) –The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Isabela City de Basilan passed on its third and final reading an ordinance defining gender-based sexual harassment and the prohibited acts in the streets and public spaces in the city.

The ordinance sponsored by Hon. Karel Annjaiza R. Sakkalahul, Chairperson on Committee on Women and Children, shall be known and cited as the "The Safe Spaces Ordinance of Isabela.” For brevity, this ordinance shall also be known as the Bawal Bastos Ordinance of Isabela City.

Under the Isabela City Bawal Bastos Ordinance the following are considered prohibited acts and shall be penalized regardless of the motive for committing such action or remarks:

• Catcalling
• Wolf-whistling
• Leering and intrusive gazing
• Taunting
• Cursing
• Unwanted invitations
• Misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic and sexist slurs
• Persistent uninvited comments or gestures on a person's appearance
• Relentless request for personal details such as name, contact and social media details or destination
• Statement of sexual comments or gestures and suggestions
• Use of words, gestures or actions that ridicule on the basis of sex, gender or sexual orientation, identity and/or expression
• Persistent telling of sexual jokes, use of sexual names, comments and demands
• Any advances, whether verbal or physical, that is unwanted and has threatened one's sense of personal space and physical safety
• Public masturbation
• Flashing of private parts
• Groping

These acts are committed in public spaces such as alleys, roads, sidewalks, and parks or those performed in buildings, schools, churches, restaurants, malls, public washrooms, bars, internet shops, public markets, transportation terminals or public utility vehicles.

Other agencies and organizations responsible for the implementation and to undertake awareness campaign about the ordinance and the policy were also identified and stated under the said ordinance including their roles and functions. (RVC/NDR/PIA9-Basilan)