Prov’l summit caps Nat’l Anti-Trafficking in Person Awareness Month
AGUSAN DEL SUR -- The Provincial Council Against Trafficking - Violence Against Women and Children (PCAT-VAWC) and the Provincial Council for the Protection of Children (PCPC) concluded a month-long celebration of the National Anti-Trafficking in Person Awareness with a summit participated by the municipal council members coming from all over Agusan del Sur.
According to Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) member Nilo Manpatilan, who conveyed the welcome message of Gina Ceballos, chairperson of the Committee on Social Welfare, Gender and Development that the PCAT – VAWC and PCPC, together with the congressional representatives of the two districts in the province, continuously rendered their efforts to ensure the protection of women and their children by strengthening the advocacy against those forces that try to destroy the lives of the most vulnerable sectors of the society.
Ceballos also called for a concerted effort of the Agsurnons in order to combat human trafficking and violence against women and children. She added that the people must not only be reactive but preventive in order not to experience the painful damage.
On the other hand, Governor Santiago Cane Jr. rallied for the collective commitment of all stakeholders, PCAT-VAWC and PCPC for the protection, welfare and empowerment of women and children in order not to give chances to abusers to commit their evil plans that will destroy human dignity, and can even cause death through a message delivered by SP Avalota Cejas.
In her keynote message, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga Protective Services Division Chief Jessie Catherine Aranas said, 'Human trafficking continues to exist because it is a lucrative business that involves big amounts of money and the Philippines is one of the transit points of global human trafficking.”
According to Aranas, the country has so many laws that protect women and children, as the government's response to eliminate abuses against these vulnerable sectors. She added that all individuals can be victims of human trafficking and abuse because many are not aware of these laws.
“In Local CAT-VAWC, we have the 4Ps to remind us that we are advocates in preventing the crime of human trafficking and violence against women and children. The 4Ps stands for prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership,” Aranas stressed.
During the summit held at the Provincial Learning Center in Patin-ay, Local CPC and LCAT-VAWC with ideal functionality levels were feted with awards and outstanding members recognized. (David M. Suyao, PAMRE/PPIO-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
