Human trafficking victims get fund, livelihood aids

ILOILO CITY, Philippines— At least 47 victims of  human trafficking in Western Visayas were provided with financial assistance totaling P423,500 last year from the DSWD-Region 6. 

The assistance was part of DSWD's Recovery and Reintegration Program to enable human trafficking victims get back their normal lives and avoid falling into the mess again.

Of the total amount of aid released, P380,000 was for livelihood, P21,000 was for support for victims or witnesses; P15,000 was for shelter and transportation and P7,500 for skills training of the victims.

Records of the DSWD-6 showed that 26 of the human trafficking cases were about forced labor, 13 were sexual exploitation, six were cyber pornography and two prostitution. It also revealed that most of the victims of sexual exploitation were girls 18 years old and below while majority of forced labor victims were women of legal age.

Most of them were provided with livelihood assistance in the amount of P10,000 each and those who want to continue their schooling were sent back to school with the help of the SCALA (Sharing Computer Access Locally and Abroad) project.

Of the 47 human trafficking victims, 24 came from Iloilo province, nine were from Negros Occidental, seven from Iloilo City, two each from Bacolod City and province of Palawan and one each from Roxas City, Zamboanga del Norte province and Antipolo City.

Some of the victims, especially women, were temporarily sheltered at the Regional Center for Women while the minor girls were housed at the Home for Girls. Both facilities are being operated by the DSWD.

Others, especially those who came from other provinces outside Region 6 were provided with transportation assistance for them to return home. Those who have filed cases against their recruiters were also provided with cash assistance to pursue their legal suits.

Recruiters have been luring women and young girls with the promise of employment in the city or abroad only to end up in prostitution dens. Poverty has been considered the number one reason why these women fall into the trap. (FREEMAN)