Thursday, 24 July 2025

Caraga intensifies anti-trafficking efforts through the reg’l inter-agency committee

By Kelvin Kennt R. Generalo

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur (PIA) — As part of the National Anti-Trafficking in Persons Awareness Month (NATPAM) and the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons commemoration on July 30, the Caraga Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and their Children (RIACAT-VAWC) intensified its campaign to combat human trafficking across the region.

During the recent Kapihan sa PIA held at SM City Butuan, Attorney Bryan Y. Rubio of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga shared the committee’s ongoing programs and legal mandates that strengthened the significance of the RIACAT-VAWC.

“RIACAT-VAWC is a regional body that oversees the implementation of programs aligned with anti-trafficking laws,” said Attorney Rubio.

He explained that the committee is composed of various government and non-government agencies, including the DSWD, Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Philippine National Police (PNP), and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), among others.

Each agency brings its own set of mandates, expertise, and resources—ensuring a multi-sectoral and holistic approach to fighting trafficking and protecting vulnerable individuals, especially women and children.

RIACAT-VAWC is legally anchored on Republic Act (RA) No. 9208, also known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, which was later amended by RA 10364 in 2013 and further strengthened by RA 11862 in 2022.

“These laws expanded the definition of trafficking, enhanced protection and prosecution mechanisms, and introduced more partner agencies to reinforce our collective response,”  Rubio emphasized.

He also highlighted the importance of coordination among agencies and the crucial role of community engagement in identifying and preventing trafficking cases at the grassroots level.

Meanwhile, PIA Caraga as a mindful member of the Caraga RIACAT-VAWC sustains its communication support to the programs, and coverages on activities of the committee in the entire region through the different platforms of PIA Caraga, ensuring that government efforts against human trafficking and violence against women and their children reach the grassroots communities.

With a strengthened legal framework and a coordinated multi-agency response, Caraga continues to build momentum in its mission to end trafficking and uphold the rights of women and children in the region. (KKRG/ PIA Agusan del Sur)