In line with the Department’s mandate to be the lead agency to uphold the best interest and welfare of the children and women to include those who are victims of trafficking in Persons and Child Pornography, a roll out training is being conducted.

The three –day training is participated in by selected Provincial/City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officers, and Police Officers (CIDG) within the region.

The said training aims to provide the participants a venue to review the salient features and provisions of RA 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 and RA 9775 otherwise known as the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009, review their roles and responsibilities of partners from the Local Government Units, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

This forum also serves as the proper venue to identify issues and concerns to strengthen the implementation of Republic Act 10364 and RA 9775. Within the duration of the three –day activity, they are also expected to formulate their respective Action Plan on the Recovery and Reintegration Program of Trafficked Persons.

In her discussion on RA 10364 and RA 9775, Atty. Ruby T. Malanog, of the Regional State Prosecutor’s Office, reminded the participants of their crucial role in handling the cases of victim survivors of trafficking specially among women and children.

Participants were also encouraged to continuously be involved in helping victims of trafficking and to report cases especially in the Local Government Units’ level, as there may be unreported cases in which victim survivors may be deprived of the programs and services they can avail.

Written by Mitzie S. Santiago, DSWD