Cagayan de Oro City — During the meeting with the Civil Society Organizations held recently,Ms.Lalae Garcia, Project Manager of Malisa Home, an organization that moves against human trafficking and prostitution, stressed the alarming rate of prostitution in the region which even includes cases involving parents who personally pimp their children to wealthy patrons and foreigners in exchange for money. According to Ms. Garcia, poverty has a lot to do on why there is an increase in human trafficking and prostitution cases.

She further encouraged her fellow representatives from the various Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to be one with them in their cause to which they positively responded.

This proves that the engagement of the Department of Social Welfare and Development with various Civil Society Organizations have not been in vain.They have responded to the call for change entailing them to go beyond their roles as one of the front liners in the conduct of Family Development Sessions to the beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in the region. These organizations are the Department’s Bantay, Gabay, Kaagapay partners.

Without any monetary compensation, these organizations have committed to help the Department carry out its responsibilities in creating an impact to the millions of lives served through the various programs and services.

To date, there are twenty-four Civil Society Organizations who have engaged with the Department.
Indeed, they have created a mark in making the Kaya Ko Ang Pagbabago Campaign a reality in the heart of every Mindanaoan.

Written by Mitzie S. Santiago, DSWD