MCA, Visayan Forum wage war vs human trafficking

MANILA, Philippines - The Millennium Challenge Account – Philippines and the Visayan Forum Foundation Inc. have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to fight human trafficking in the MCA-P project areas of Western Samar and Eastern Samar.

MCA-P managing director and chief executive officer Victoria Anonuevo and Visayan Forum president Ma. Cecilia Flores-Oebanda signed the MOA.

“This MOA is only an initial but nonetheless a significant step towards safeguarding our project areas against this modern-day slavery that victimizes mostly the poorest sectors of our society,” Anonuevo said. “MCA-P is committed to this partnership and we will work vigorously to ensure that no officer, employee, contractor, or worker will be involved in or tolerate human trafficking in and around our project sites.”

“This will serve as a model for private sector innovation in the war against human trafficking. We are excited with the potential of private companies, suppliers, contractors, NGOs, community groups, government, and aid agencies working together and committed to abolish this modern-day slave trade within our lifetime,” Flores-Oebanda said.

Under the MOA, MCA-P and Visayan Forum will facilitate learning, information-sharing and skills among MCA-P staff and stakeholders; educate and ensure commitment of bidders, suppliers, contractors, sub-contractors, and consultants in the prevention of human trafficking cases in all MCA-P projects; and help bring about reforms in programs and services to prevent human trafficking.

Together with the Department of Public Works and Highways, MCA-P is implementing the Secondary National Roads Development Project that will rehabilitate a 222-kilometer road network in Western Samar and Eastern Samar, two of the poorest provinces in the Philippines. 

The project is funded by a $214.4 million grant from Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC), a US funding agency, which has a “zero tolerance” policy on human trafficking.

Visayan Forum works for the protection of victims of human trafficking, forced labor and other modern-day forms of slavery.