BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The government and civil society organizations collaborate for active movements to advance programs for the welfare of children.
The Inter-agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) led by the Department of Justice (DOJ), and composed of various line agencies and civil society organizations, convened on Dec. 12, 2024 at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center to strengthen actions on preventing child trafficking and online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSEAC).
DOJ Assistant Secretary Michelle Anne Lapuz reported that trafficking and OSEAC in the country is still prevalent thus the need for more focus on the issue.
“Medyo nakatingin po sila sa Pilipinas kasi we are also tagged as one of the top producers of these kinds of abuse, so kailangan mas focused po tayo,” she said.
Lapuz shared that the DOJ is working its way to the grassroots level to ensure government presence and to deter crimes.
“Kaya po kami lumalapit sa Baguio for us to learn from you, how you do it here sa grassroots, and tingnan po natin how we get complements, para mas maiparamdam pa natin ang presence ng government in the communities, kasi yan po yung pinaka-top factor when you deter crime, it’s when they know that government is present, that’s the one that creates the most deterrence,” she said.
The event was part of the series of activities under the Barangay IACAT 2.0 which fosters partnership and collaborative strategies within government agencies, civil society organizations and private individuals to build programs relative to stopping child trafficking and OSAEC.
Highlights of the discussion include the overview of the child trafficking and online sexual abuse and OSEAC in the country, and coordination of agencies and local government units in awareness and prevention campaigns.
Gaps on the various victim support and rehabilitation initiatives, and law enforcement and prosecution tactical initiatives were also tackled by the council.
The local government unit of Baguio City along with non-government organizations discussed gaps on the referral system on issues of child trafficking and online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
LGUs play a crucial role in the information campaign against any form of violence in the grass roots. (JDP/CVBT-PIA CAR)
