Prostitutes Passi

During the Spanish colonial era in the Philippines, regulated red-light districts known as “Prostitutes Passi” emerged in urban centers. These zones were officially sanctioned areas where commercial sex work was concentrated and monitored by colonial authorities.

Legal Framework and Control

The Spanish administration implemented strict regulations within Prostitutes Passi districts, including mandatory health inspections and licensing systems. This institutional approach aimed to control disease spread while generating revenue through taxation of establishments.

Social Impact and Legacy

Prostitutes Passi districts created complex socioeconomic dynamics, often concentrating vulnerable populations in designated urban zones. The system reflected colonial attitudes toward morality and public health, leaving lasting influences on Philippine societal structures regarding sex work regulation.

“These regulated spaces became embedded in the urban fabric of colonial Philippines”

*TAGS* – colonial red-light districts, Spanish-era prostitution, regulated sex trade