Bucao measure seen to boost anti-trafficking in persons law

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Vice Mayor Alan Bucao is pushing for the approval of a measure that would strengthen Republic Act 9208, otherwise known as the “Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.” 

In yesterday’s council session, Bucao, who introduced the measure the “Inter-Agency Council against Trafficking,” said organizing the IACAT at the local level would provide the necessary mechanism to protect the welfare of women and children and support the implementation of services for trafficked persons.

“It is a state policy to recognize the equal rights and inherent human dignity of women and men as enshrined in all relevant and universally accepted human rights instruments and other international conventions to which the Philippines is a signatory,” Bucao said. 

Under R.A. 9208, otherwise known as the Anti-Trafficking Act of 2003, it institutes policies to eliminate trafficking in persons especially women and children and establishes the institutional mechanisms for the protection and support of trafficked persons. 

If Ordinance No. 2012-23-1 will be approved, a special body will be created that will provide for the roles and responsibilities of the Local Government Units (LGUs), which include provision of basic social services for the prevention, rescue, recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration/after care support services to victims of trafficking in persons and their families, and the enactment of ordinances or issuances aimed at providing protection and support to trafficked persons and adoption of measures to prevent and suppress trafficking in persons.

The council will be comprised of the chairman of the Committee on Social Services of the SP while the officer of the DILG will be the honorary chairman.

Its members will consist of the head of the city social welfare, the city legal officer, police, the DepEd, the parish priest of the Sta. Teresa de Avila, the non-government organization’s representing the following sectors coming from Women’s, Family and Children, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the City of Talisay and Urban Poor Association.  - THE FREEMAN