BAGUIO CITY– The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here through the Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP) and the Regional Inter-agency Committee against Trafficking and Violence against Women and their Children (RIACAT- VAWC) conducted a Training of Application of Appropriate Guidelines and Procedures on the Identification of Trafficked Persons.
The activity was attended by personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and local Social Welfare and Development Offices (LSWDOs) in La Trinidad, Tuba, Sablan, Itogon, Tublay, and Atok in Benguet, Baguio City, Tabuk City in Kalinga; Lagawe in Ifugao; Bangued in Abra, and Bontoc in Mountain Province. Representatives from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office-Mountain Province and Police Regional Office Cordillera also joined the event.
The participants were provided with learning sessions focusing on the appropriate guidelines and procedures in the identification of trafficked persons, process of application of victim’s compensation to the Board of Claims, process of claiming civil damages payment per court decision and process of conducting gender-sensitive interview on trafficked persons.
Baguio City Assistant Prosecutor Ruth P. Bernabe and Atty. Mary Inglay Capuyan-Fokno served as the subject matter experts for the activity conducted on October 5-6, 2021.
From 2015 to September 30, 2021, there are 145 cases of trafficking in persons that have been reported to DSWD-CAR. Many of the clients are from different areas outside the region but were rescued/reported in CAR. Baguio City reported 31, Benguet with 28, Apayao with 22, and Abra with 15. Ifugao and Kalinga five each and Mountain Province with two.
“Reported cases of trafficking in the region has dramatically declined when the pandemic started. Hence, we believe that human trafficking is still present but underreported due to limitations brought about by this pandemic. Most of the recorded trafficking cases are undocumented OFWs, therefore, these participants are called out to check on their areas of responsibility if these are present but overlooked”, RRPTP Focal Person Joanne Ligante said.
“We consider the PNP and the LSWDOs as our partners in our fight against trafficking in persons. They play an important role in ensuring that we are able to address the needs of this sector. Through this activity, we are hopeful that our operations and service delivery will be improved”, DSWD CAR Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia said.
Individuals who have been victims of human trafficking or have been repatriated from 2003 may still avail of the programs and services of the DSWD through the RRPTP. These individuals may visit their respective Local Social Welfare and Development Office or Police Station in their area or call DSWD FO CAR RRPTP Helpline Number +63906-077-6901 for possible assistance.** Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva-Trinidad/DSWD-CAR
