by Jonnie H. Buenaventura
from PIA Press Release

Tacloban City (29 July) -- Republic Act 9208 also known as Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, institute government policies to eliminate trafficking in persons, especially women and children... It establishes the necessary mechanisms to protect and support trafficked persons, and provides penalties for violations.

With the creation of this law, the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Justice (DOJ) and other agency concerned was instructed under the provisions of R.A 9208 to use their vast resources for prevention, detection, capturing and prosecution of the offender and safeguard the victims of all sorts that is available to her.

from the Visayan Daily Star

Three batches of participants from different databanking government agencies and non-government groups across the country involved in anti-trafficking campaigns attended trainings in Monitoring System, Information Technology and Data Information System, a government press release said.

The trainings, attended by 87 representatives, were held in Cebu City, Davao and Luzon recently.

It highlighted the completion of the successful run of the Philippine Information System on Trafficking done by Commission on Filipinos Overseas and National Police Commission with assistance from the US Department of State through the American Solidarity Center.

from The Sunday Times

The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Negros Occidental is implementing a local anti-trafficking in persons (TIP) databanking re-training program and is making use of local resources to conduct it.

The conduct of a re-training on TIP databanking is challenging as the agency has budgeting priorities and the usual fund limitations. However, the PNP Negros Occidental showed how low- or no-cost activities could be done for real with a little imagination.

from PIA Press Release

Bacolod City (23 June) -- Eighty-seven (87) participants from different databanking government agencies and non-government groups in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao involved in anti-trafficking campaigns completed three batches two-day island training in Monitoring System, Information Technology and Data Information System; in Cebu City on 1-2 April 2008; in Davao on April 10-11, 2008 and Luzon on April 22-23, 2008.

from PIA Press Release

Bacolod City (11 June) -- Vallacar Transit Inc. recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with an Anti Trafficking In Person (ATIP) crusading NGO, Philippine Solidarity Office (PSO), that would, among others, give free bus fares to returning trafficking victims.

ATIP National Project Coordinator Anna Lee Foz of the United States Department of State Solidarity Center said the MOA contains provisions allowing returning trafficking victim and his or her accompanying family members to have a free bus fare.

from The Visayan Daily Star

Bus company Vallacar Transit Inc. has forged an agreement with anti-trafficking group, Philippine Solidarity Office, for the provision, among others, of free fares to returning trafficking victims.

To seal the partnership, a memorandum of agreement was signed by Rolando Villaflores, Vallacar Transit vice president for administration; Hernane Braza of the Philippine Agricultural Commercial and Industrial Workers' Union; Ronald Esponilla, president of the PACIWU-TUCP Vallacar Transit Inc. Chapter; and Anna Lee Fos of the Solidarity Center.

from PIA Press Release

Surigao del Norte (16 May) -- A Labor Day like no other in this part of the region, 13-Member Association of Mindanao Bus Companies and Trade Unions send warning to human traffickers, transporters and illegal Recruiters: We'll Be Watching You!

NAPOLCOM's Anti-Trafficking MC No. 2004-03
The National Police Commission adopted on 18 May 2004 Memorandum Circular 2004-03 "Guidelines for Improving Case Management and Initiating Efforts Towards Addressing the Problem of Trafficking in Persons" which "orders and directs the PNP to: xxx institutionalize the strict observance of the Standard Reporting Format" for Women's and Children's Protection Desks in all police stations and other offices having stake in such cases, including the submission of accomplished forms to the Napolcom; xxx" The Standard Reporting Format developed by the Project's TWG.

At the representation of Anti-Trafficking Project 1, DILG issued DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2005-26 "Strict Implementation of Republic Act No. 9208"

At the representation of Anti-Trafficking Project 2, DILG issued DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2006-172 "Strengthening LGU's efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons" 

The Sub-Committee on Reintegration completed the Guide in Accessing Services for Victims-Survivors of Trafficking in Persons, after 14 draft versions in almost two years of multi-agency, multi-sectoral  discussions chaired by the DSWD. The Anti-Trafficking Project2 TWG approved the Guide in its meeting on 12 October 2006.  The Community Networks are developing their local versions of the Guide based on the approved National/NCR Guide.