PPA boosts anti-human trafficking program

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) renewed yesterday partnership with Visayan Forum Foundation Inc. in a bid to boost its campaign against human trafficking through the Port Halfway House (PHH) program.

The PHH, which was created in 2000 through PPA’s Gender and Development Focal Point at Manila North Harbor, serves as a refuge for victims and potential victims of trafficking, mostly women and children from Visayas and Mindanao.

The halfway house provides 24-hour safety and services for trafficking victims such as temporary shelter, held-desk travel assistance, quick case referrals and legal services.

Due to the success of the first PHH, three more were set up in the ports of Sasa in Davao City, Matnog in Sorsogon and Batangas City.

"This partnership has transformed many ports from being a playground of traffickers into vibrant catchment networks against heartless traffickers," said Ma. Cecilia Flores-Oebanda, Visayan Forum president.

"This is also a concrete manifesto of how PPA and shipping companies practice corporate social responsibility, and how synergy among government agencies, the private sector and non-government organizations can actually work together," she said.

Flores signed a new five-year agreement with PPA officials yesterday to continue the successful operations of the PHH project. — Edu Punay