SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) – The Plan International Pilipinas, and the Local Government Units (LGUs) of Magsaysay, and San Jose in Occidental Mindoro strengthened their partnership in fighting for child protection through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for Collaborative Action Against Trafficking 2 (CAAT 2) Project on August 12.
Led by the Plan International Pilipinas, the CAAT 2 intends to “strengthen the protection, recovery, and reintegration efforts of duty-bearers in addressing children and youth abuse and exploitation including trafficking and early and forced marriage and unions.”
According to the National Baseline Study on Violence Against Children in 2015, children and youth aged 13 to 24 years old experienced high levels of violence such as physical (64.2 percent), psychological (61.5 percent), sexual (22.4 percent), and peer (65 percent) violence.
Also, the study states that “The Philippines continues to be a source, transit, and destination country for commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking and one of the top ten countries globally producing sexual content using children.”
CAAT 2 Project Manager Ovynania Javier said that the incidence of child exploitation significantly increased during the pandemic and underscored the need for immediate response to protect the youth.
“Mula po ng pandemic tumaas ang kaso ng iba’t ibang uri ng pang-aabuso, nandiyan po ang trafficking, nandiyan po ang online sexual abuse and exploitation of children and of course, child engaged in early marriage and union. Napakahalaga po na makita at mabigyan ng response itong mga klase ng sitwasyon na mayroon ang ating mga kabataan,” she said.
Javier explained that the relationship between Plan International and the LGU will outline each party’s counterpart towards achieving the program’s goal.
This includes adherence and promotion of Philippine laws safeguarding children’s rights and the principles of the Convention on the Rights of Child, and ensuring that no gender-based discrimination occurs during the program’s three-year implementation.
“We aim to strengthen the reintegration of all affected children in their communities and address these situations through the presence of our partners. The goal is aligned with Occidental Mindoro’s vision of improved quality of life for the Mindoreños,” Javier added.
San Jose Mayor Rey C. Ladaga and Magsaysay Mayor Cesar Tria Jr. pledged their support to the project. They highlighted the need to focus on the welfare of children and youth in their municipalities.
The program will be implemented in the barangays of Alibog, Sta. Teresa, and Poblacion in Magsaysay town, and in barangay Caminawit, Pag-asa, and San Roque in San Jose town until September 2026. (DSG/PIA MIMAROPA – Occidental Mindoro)
