Caraga
RIACAT-VAWC intensifies campaign vs trafficking in persons
By
Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN
CITY, July 27 (PIA) – The value and respect for life, dignity, and human rights
hold ground for efforts of the Caraga Regional Inter-agency Committee against
Trafficking in Persons and Violence against Women and Children (RIACAT-VAWC) to
pursue strong commitment and amplified advocacy campaign against trafficking in
persons (TIP) in the region.
“Every
country in the world is affected by human trafficking, whether as a country of
origin, transit, or destination for victims including the Philippines. That’s
why we plotted activities every year in observance of the World Day against
Trafficking in Persons in order to raise awareness of the situation of victims
of human trafficking and for the promotion and protection of their human rights,”
said Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga social worker
officer and focal person of RIACAT-VAWC Jesse Catherine Aranas in a press
conference.
She
cited that the province of Agusan del Sur bared the highest case of human
trafficking due to its remote and rural geographical location wherein many are
prone to becoming potential victims of illegal recruitment or sexual
exploitation. Aranas added that poverty is also a contributing factor that
makes the victims feel their sense of responsibility in the family and think
that it's the only way to help uplift their situation.
According
to Atty. Clementino Rabor, assistant regional prosecutor of Department of
Justice Caraga and chairperson of the Regional Anti-Trafficking Task Force (RATTF),
“there are already six convictions for the offense on human trafficking in
Caraga region. Three for sexual exploitation (prostitution and cyber
pornography) and three for labour exploitation (illegal recruitment) in
particular.”
Rabor
further revealed that 89 cases are already pending in court. Also, per DSWD
Caraga data, Caraga has been beset by a total of 381 trafficking in persons
cases from 2011-2017 (1st semester). These are just cases which are officially
reported and may or may not be reflecting the entire cases of human trafficking
reported by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT).
RIACAT-VAWC
interventions
“Of
the 381 cases reported to the DSWD, the exploitative purposes revealed the
following: forced labor, debt bondage, prostitution, pornography, and slavery,”
said Aranas.
Based
on data, the typical profile of the victim-survivors of human trafficking in
the region usually includes women, between 18-30 years old, has reached the
elementary level, coming from marginalized families with labor works, fishing
or errand occupations and are recruited into labour trafficking.
“Aside
from reason of poverty, the common factors why these victim-survivors are
scourged into this kind of situations revealed but not limited to lack of employment
opportunities due to low educational attainment, influence of technology, peer
influence and lack of awareness of protection laws,” said Aranas.
With
this, the RIACAT-VAWC inter-agency members provide different interventions and
services to the survivors of trafficking and communities which include legal
services/prosecution/law enforcement; health, social, educational, referral
services; prevention and advocacy activities.
“Specifically,
through the Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP) of the DSWD
which is a comprehensive program that ensures adequate recovery and
reintegration services provided to trafficked persons, the TIP survivors are
served through utilizing a multi-sectoral approach which delivers a complete
package of services that will enhance the psychosocial, social and economic
needs of the clients. It also enhances awareness, skills, and capabilities of
the clients, the families and the communities where the trafficked persons will
be eventually reintegrated,” said Aranas.
The
RRPTP services include logistical support during pre and post rescue of TIP
survivors; temporary shelter; support services (transportation assistance/auxiliary
services, medical assistance, educational assistance); economic reintegration
services (skills training, financial assistance for employment and livelihood).
“We
have a strong and very functional RIACAT-VAWC but we need the constant help of
the community to expose such criminality. Our heart is for genuine service to
the community and grassroots,” remarked Andrie Calaque, advocacy officer of
Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation – Integrated Development Center,
Incorporated.
The
blue heart campaign
As
part of the advocacy campaign that allows people to show solidarity with the
victims of human trafficking, people are encouraged to wear the ‘blue heart’.
The
blue heart represents the sadness of those who are trafficked while reminding
every one of the cold-heartedness of those who buy and sell fellow human
beings. The use of the blue United Nations (UN) color also demonstrates the
commitment of the UN to combat the crime against human dignity.
“We
encourage the involvement of the people and inspire action to help stop the
crime through the blue heart campaign. It is adopted by several countries all
over the world and seeks to raise awareness of the plight of victims. The DSWD
will cater related concerns round the clock. VAWC desk is also established in
every barangay,” said Tita Ebcas of Butuan CSWD.
Human
trafficking is a crime that exploits women, children, and men for numerous
purposes including forced labour and sex. The International Labour Organization
estimates that 21 million people are victims of forced labour globally. This
estimate also includes victims of human trafficking for labour and sexual
exploitation. While it is known how many of these victims were trafficked, the
estimate implies that currently, there are millions of trafficking in persons
victims in the world.
2017
World Day against TIP
In
2013, the United Nations General Assembly designated July 30 of every year as
the World Day against Trafficking in Persons (WDTP).
As
the Caraga RIACAT-VAWC celebrates its second year, series of activities have
already been laid down to be participated by respective stakeholders and the
Caraganons.
Video
advocacy campaign, radio guesting and press conference on the WDTP were
conducted locally. A thanksgiving mass and motorcade will also take place on
the 28th of July.
There
will also be a logo-making contest with participants coming from
member-agencies of RIACAT-VAWC and a dance drama contest for high school
students coming from the province of Agusan del Norte and Butuan City. The
public can also view the photo gallery and participate in a photo booth
activity at the Robinsons Butuan.
DILG
Caraga legal officer Atty. Allen Gasulas emphasized the role of the media and
community in employing 4Ps (Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, Partnerships)
in combating trafficking in persons (TIP) in the region. This paradigm is
outlined in the United Nations' (UN) TIP protocol and the United States'
Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Asia-Pacific
union leaders join hands to end workplace violence
BUTUAN
CITY, Jul. 27 (PIA) - A total of 40 participants from 26 affiliates, including
global union federations, partners, and allies in 23 countries in the
Asia-Pacific converged in Manila recently as they ramped up plans for the
biggest campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) within the workplace.
Said
event was organized by the International Trade Union Confederation – Asia
Pacific (ITUC-AP) in collaboration with the Philippine affiliates and
International Labour Organization's - Bureau for Workers' Activities (ILO-ACTRAV).
The
growing interest against ‘GBV@Work’ comes as the ILO Governing Body finally
decided to place a standard setting item (double discussion) on violence and
harassment against women and men in the world of work starting at the 107th
Session of the ILO in June 2018.
“We
have been preparing for this well in advance,” said ITUC-AP General Secretary
Shoya Yoshida.
“We gather evidence to support the trade union
advocacy and campaign for a comprehensive ILO convention and recommendation on
‘Violence and Harassment against Women and Men in the World of Work’ - with a
strong focus on gender-based violence (including domestic violence),” Yoshida
added.
The
said meeting took the next step with building and preparing the Asia Pacific
national focal points for campaigning around GBV@Work.
Several
sessions reviewed the discussions and decisions of the ILO governing body and
the meeting of experts, the ILO law and practice report, walked the
participants through the international labor standards and standard setting
procedures and other preparatory work.
Participants
from Taiwan and Mongolia shared the importance of strengthening the evidence
based on domestic violence and its impact at work and using the national survey
findings to improve protection of women.
The
meeting also showcased participants’ experiences and suggestions in increasing
women’s representation in the ILC. Participants gained insights from the
sharing of the Philippine tripartite partners on building a unified position on
the adoption and ratification of Convention 189 and labor law reforms and
implementation.
The
meeting concluded with identifying immediate and priority advocacy campaign
plans and strategies for the ILC discussions and generated strong commitment
from affiliates on actions to address GBV@Work. (FEA/ITUC-AP/PIA-Caraga)
POPCOM
launches short films on youth
By
Angie Balen-Antonio
BUTUAN
CITY, July 27 - As getting young people on-board on its continuing campaign
against teenage pregnancy and other related concerns, the Commission on
Population (POPCOM) launches its Adolescent Health and Development Film
Festival for three straight years.
For
this year, the film production is anchored on the regional paper of Young Adult
Fertility and Sexuality Further Study conducted by the University of the Philippines
Population Institute entitled “Maternal Health-Seeking Behaviors of Teen and
Young Adults Mother in Caraga Region.”
The
project is also closely coordinated with the Department of Education in
promoting and creating awareness on various adolescent and youth issues and
concerns, particularly in the prevention of unintended pregnancy, STI, and
HIV/AIDS infections.
As
aimed by POPCOM, the films which shall be developed by junior high school
students will provide the young people with appropriate information and life
skills to enable them to cope with problems related to the attainment of their
full development into adulthood.
The
two short films which were produced by Caraga Region for the national
competition are now used in various advocacy activities of POPCOM, Local
Government Units and other stakeholders, Desisyon (2015) and Dibuho (2016).
POPCOM
disclosed that the participating teams who represent their respective city and
province are expected to develop and produce and audio-visual material, a short
film with a maximum running time of 15 minutes including credits and
disclaimer, and also a two-minute film version and a 1-minute trailer.
Regional
winners will receive a cash prize, trophy and medal and a chance to compete at
the national film festival, and international as well.
Prior
to the film production, the participating teams participated to the basic film
making workshop, as a prerequisite to join the Regional Adolescent Health and
Development Film Festival. (POPCOM-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
