The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 10, as lead agency in protecting the welfare of women and children spearheaded the conduct of a one day forum on R.A. 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Person Act of 2012 and R.A. 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009, on August 30, 2012 at Pearlmont Inn, Cagayan de Oro City.
As Chair of the Regional Inter-Agency Council on Anti-Child Pornography, and Vice-Chair on the Regional Inter-Agency Council for Trafficking in Person, the Department headed the said activity to continue the region’s efforts in eliminating incidents of trafficking and child pornography. Attended by participants from Municipalities of the 2nd District of Misamis Oriental, composed of Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officers, Social Workers, Women and Child Protection Desk (WCPD) Police Officers, and selected Barangay Officials with Trafficking in Person cases handled, Internet and Hotel Operators in Cagayan de Oro City, the forum focused on the salient features of the two laws and increased awareness of the participants on their roles in the implementation of preventive, protective, rehabilitative, and reintegration programs and services.
In her welcome message, Assistant Regional Director Aldersey Mumar Dela Cruz (delivering in behalf of the Regionald Director Atty. Araceli F. Solamillo) emphasized the importance of each of the participants’ role in promoting and implementing the two laws. She pointed out the need for coordination, collaboration and collective efforts in combating trafficking cases and child pornography incidents and extending preventive programs and services to the community and support system programs to the victims and their families.
The participants were very thankful to the Department for the conduct of the said activity since it has simplified everyone’s roles and responsibilities and promoting the two laws and added up to their knowledge and skills simple protocol procedures in handling cases. The participants were also up to the challenge of working with partner agencies in promoting the two laws, asserting that a collective work is needed to stop or even limit cases of Trafficking and Child Pornography in the region.
The Forum has clearly defined each and everyone’s part in promoting the laws, clarifying matters which have hindered implementing agencies on acting on cases. It will be a tall order to deal with, but participants of the activity were positive that the job can be done, as long as everyone does their part in promoting the laws.
By: Marko Davey D. Reyes (Social Marketing Officer / Kalahi-CIDSS) and Ms. Rosanel D. Pague (SWO II)