Magpale nominated ‘champion’ in fight against trafficking

CEBU, Philippines - With her efforts in leading the provincial government’s fight against human trafficking, Vice Governor Agnes Magpale has been nominated as “champion against trafficking in person” by the inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking.

The IACAT is a body mandated by law to coordinate and monitor the implementation of Republic Act No. 9208 or the “Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003” in the Local Government Units.

In an interview with The Freeman, Magpale admitted that while she feels honored by the nomination, she was hesitant to accept it at first because she still has a lot of plans to battle human trafficking in Cebu as the head of the Provincial Women’s Commission and the Provincial Council for the Welfare of the Children.

The nominees for IACAT champions must carry out, through programs, their commitment in fighting human trafficking based on the law. Nominees may be a member of any agency of the council, local government partner or an individual or office. 

Magpale said it was Regional State Prosecutor Fernando Gubalani, IACAT-7 head, who pushed for her nomination.

Magpale said she never thought of being recognized as a lead mover against human trafficking when she started her advocacy, which was in line with her successes in the institutionalization the Committee on Women, Children and Family in the Provincial Board.

She also sponsored the ordinance that created PWC that serves as the implementing arm of the provincial government’s programs, projects and activities for the women in Cebu.

Magpale said they are still looking forward to implementing other projects, including the construction of the province’s facility for women and children crisis center. She said she hopes that the center, which will be constructed at a 1,500 square-meter province-owned lot in Sudlon, Barangay Lahug, can begin next year.

Magpale said earlier they have proposed a P10 million budget for the construction of the center but may need twice the amount. She said that P10 million will come from the Provincial Government while the other half may be shouldered by the national government.   DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman has assured help in establishing the center. Soliman is one of the chairpersons of IACAT together with Department of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

The other member-agencies of IACAT include the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Bureau of Immigration, Philippine National Police, Philippine Commission on the Role of Women,  Commission for Filipinos Overseas, and three NGOs representing women, Overseas Filipino Workers and children sectors.

The ex-officio members include the National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Center for Transnational Crime, Council for the Welfare of Children, and the National Youth Commission.  (FREEMAN)