Capiz forms group to crack down on trading of persons
Roxas City -- Local government units are encouraged to establish and strengthen an interagency committee to protect persons against trafficking.
Capiz Provincial Prosecutor Rudolfo I. Beluso said that the need exists to create a provincial task force to undertake precautionary measures like advocacy campaigns and surveillance activities to prevent trafficking of individuals, particularly children.
Beluso explained that among other functions of the committee is to take immediate response to victims of trafficking like rescue, medical, legal and psychological services for the trafficked individuals.
Among the primary functions of the committee is to formulate a comprehensive and integrated program to prevent and suppress the trafficking in persons, and assist in filing of cases in violation of Republic Act 9208, otherwise known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.
During the regular meeting of Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children and Women (PCWC) of Capiz, the province was able to organize said committee with Governor Vicente Bermejo as Chairman, while Prosecutor Beluso, representing the Department of Justice, was chosen as Vice-Chairman.
Member agencies include the head and permanent alternate of the Provincial Offices of Planning and Development Coordinator, Social Welfare and Development, Health, Philippine National Police, Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine Information Agency, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Department of Education.
Included also as members of the said committee are the Gender and Development Focal Person, Sangguniang Panlalawigans committee chair on Women and Family, and Social Services, and at least two accredited non-government organizations.
The creation of the Provincial Inter-Agency Committee against Trafficking (PIACT) is in consonance with Republic Act 9208.
Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Esteban Evan Contreras II, who is the vice chairman and action officer of the PCWCW, said that after the creation of an interagency committee at the provincial level, the council is encouraging the organization of the same committee at the municipal level.
Contreras explained that this is to strengthen and facilitate networking not only in the province but also with other areas to protect Capiceños from being used as a commodity.
(PIA)