MANILA - Thong bikinis will no longer be allowed in public in Palawan if a local official has her way.
Palawan provincial board member Cherry Pie Acosta wants to ban tourists on the world-famous island from wearing thong, g-string and t-back bikinis in public saying these may be offensive to conservative residents.
She said that in Port Barton in the town of San Vicente, tourists wearing bikinis sometimes mingled with students.
"Lalo kung nasa mainland siya. May mga school tayo, may simbahan. Umiikot sila na kitang-kita 'yung puwet, 'yung buttocks," said Acosta.
She added that this may cause "negative thoughts" and lead to crime.
Acosta suggested that tourists can put a cloth around their waist if they are wearing bikinis.
"Okay lang ang one piece. Pero kung mag t-back sila, kailangang may tapis sila. Kung gusto nilang lumublob kaagad sa dagat, magtapis muna kaagad sila," aniya.
She added that some tourists have also been reported to have had sex on beaches.
"Disrespecting doon sa sanctity ng ating lugar kung gagawa sila ng mga sexual intimacies," ani Acosta.
The Palawan provincial board said it will try to pass an ordinance on the issue. - with a report from Lynette dela Cruz, ABS-CBN News