DOLE intensifies anti-child trafficking drive in Bora
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE ) 6 intensifies its efforts to protect the children in Boracay from trafficking and sexual abuse amidst reports of the presence of children at some bars and resorts especially at night showing themselves off to potential sex buyers.
Last week in a briefing on the effects of Tourism on children in Boracay sponsored by Aklan Provincial Technical Working Group and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committees on Laws, Health, and Women of which DOLE Aklan Provincial Office is an active member, it was bared that sex trade in Boracay thrives.
This expose drew varied reactions from sectoral representatives.
In light of these developments, DOLE 6 Director Aida M. Estabillo directed the DOLE Aklan Provincial Head to monitor and conduct inspection of establishments which may be employing children to lure visitors or clients at night.
At the same time, she directed the Provincial Sagip Batang-Manggagawa Quick Action Team to convene and pull its efforts with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to put a rescue mechanism in place in the Island resort.
Estabillo said this situation needs to be addressed immediately before it balloons and gets out of hand.
The DOLE 6 is in the forefront of advocacy against Child Labor and R.A. 9208 or the Anti-Human Trafficking Law through its Technical Assistance Visit (TAV) workshops and in coordination with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of the local government units in the province of Aklan.
The DOLE 6 regularly conducts inspection of establishments on the island, however, it yielded no information on the existence of Child Labor. Night operating establishments are yet to be inspected.
Earlier reports from the End Child Labor Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of children for Sexual Purposes or ECPAT confirmed the presence of children engaged in prostitution in Boracay and that there are businesses or tourist establishments that tolerate child prostitution in their premises.
