By: Reyna Omictin

The Department of Social Welfare and Development Region VII in cooperation with the Local Government Unit of Tubigon through the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, held a one-day forum-seminar on human trafficking last December 29 at the Monina’s Midtown Inn and Restaurant. Ms. Rosemarie Salazar, social worker 4 of DSWD Region VII began the seminar by saying that with the tourism industry of the country booming, the influx of tourists in and out has been overwhelming. But in spite the benefits this phenomenon has produced, she said there was a trivial glitch in the picture, which is the occurrence of human trafficking. It was within this light that Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 came to life. Defined as, “AN ACT TO INSTITUTE POLICIES TO ELIMINATE TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS ESPECIALLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN, ESTABLISHING THE NECESSARY INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS FOR THE PROTECTION AND SUPPORT OF TRAFFICKED PERSONS, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR ITS VIOLATIONS, AND FOR OTHER”, it aims to protect the citizens from any possible threat of violence or exploitation, as well as to promote human dignity.

Salazar rationalized the main cause of the assembly stressing that it was done for the consciousness of the barangay officials regarding the matter on human trafficking and for them to take preemptive measures to address the issue. The seminar also highlighted the vital role of barangay officials in putting an end to the crisis, especially because Tubigon can possibly be the entrance and exit point of traffickers through its port. She also discussed the definition of RA 9208, its punishment and penalties, the different forms of trafficking, its implications and the different locations in the country where trafficking occurs, for the awareness and information of the participants. The Association of Barangay Captains of Tubigon together with their respective day care workers joined the activity where it was to form a Barangay Committee Against Trafficking in Persons (BCATP), to serve as watchdogs against trafficking with the barangay captain, barangay day care worker and barangay womens council president to carry out the duty.

Executive Assistant to the Mayor and former municipal councilor Froilan “Ploy” Cosgafa, who represented Mayor William Richard Jao, delivered his message of concern to the rampant trafficking and trading of persons. He used the movie “Taken” by Liam Neeson as an example of what he described as a “vicious” phenomenon not only in the US, but slowly creeping into the territory. The last phase of the seminar was the formation of an action plan to be formulated by each barangay captain and barangay day care worker which serves as an output to what they have learned and heard during the lecture. These action plans have target dates when it could be accomplished. Mrs. Victioria B. Simbajon, municipal social welfare and development officer closed the seminar, saying that she hopes for the full cooperation of the officials with the advocacy of DSWD against human trafficking. She encouraged the participants to act on the matter and help stop its occurrence, since the main goal of being an elected official is to protect the rights and the dignity of his constituents, so as to build a better and brighter future for the community.