Strategic planning set to strengthen fight vs human trafficking

By Carina L. Cayon

DAVAO CITY, Aug. 9 (PIA) – The member-agencies of the Davao City Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (DCIACAT) are set to converge on August 31 this year for a strategic planning to strengthen programs and policies in a fight against human trafficking.

DCIACAT Vice-Chair and City Councilor Leah Librado-Yap said the Council is expected to identify major programs, projects and activities including budgetary allocations covering calendar year 2012-2013.

Alongside with this is the identification of other logistical requirements and administrative support services in order to effectively and efficiently implement the mandates and roles of the Council, Librado-Yap said.

This includes the coordination flow of the government agencies with non-government organizations which cater direct services to children and victims of trafficking in persons (TIP). 

Librado-Yap said the strategic planning also aims to mainstream the Philippine Ports Authority’s current programs and activities already instituted in the prevention of TIP cases.

The Council would also recommend policies for formulation and adoption by the local legislative body, she added.

The Office of Vice-Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has allocated a budget to fund the strategic planning activity that would be attended by some 35 DCIACAT members from the local and national government agencies and NGOs.

Meanwhile, Assistant Regional Prosecutor Barbara Mae Flores suggested in a recently-held DCIACAT meeting, to consider in the strategic planning the creation of an anti-human trafficking task force and desk at the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) to be initiated by DCIACAT.

The Regional Inter-Agency Council against Trafficking-Integrated Action Network (RIACTION) opened last July 20 an anti-TIP desk at the Davao International Airport, being primary entry and exit point of the region.

The desk is manned by the Airport Security Group, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the Regional Public Safety Battalion.

RIACTION-XI is a network organized by different government agencies and private organizations in Davao Region for the purpose of combating TIP. (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)