Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Region in the Philippines Needs to Improve Anti-Trafficking Efforts


Source: Corbis

From GMA News:

Authorities on Monday admitted that Caraga region is lagging behind in the campaign against human trafficking and violence against women and children, affirming surveys by non-government organizations that showed the prevalence of trafficking of women and minors in the region.


In a press conference, lawyer Marilyn Pintor, Gender and Development-Regional Development Coordinating Council (GAD-RDCC) chair, some – if not majority – of local government agencies lack awareness on and, thus, fail to give priority to projects aimed at protecting women and children.


In fact, Pintor – who is concurrently the regional director of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) – said that Caraga courts have yet to convict alleged violators of Republic Act 9262 or the Act Defining Violence against Women and their Children as well as the Anti-human Trafficking law.


Edna Hontiveros, vice chair of the Gender and Development-Regional Development Coordinating Council said funds allocated for gender and development programs are not being used by local government units for this purpose. “What is unfortunate was some used these funds as milking cow," Hontiveros said.


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