Cotabato Province has intensified its campaign against human trafficking and Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC).
Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza vowed to protect the rights and make every child, mother, and other vulnerable sectors in the province safe against violence, abuse, and exploitation.
Mendoza said part of the measures being promoted by the provincial government in accordance with its objective is to provide capacity and sufficient skills to the members of the Provincial Inter-Agency Committee Against Trafficking-Violence Against Women and Children (PIACAT-VAWC) including representatives from its various departments, along with some select agencies and sectors such as the Philippine National Police, religious organizations, and others.
Mendoza said the provincial government has recently conducted a two-day “Capability Development Seminar” organized by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) for such committee held in Sitio Maupot Family Resort, Magpet, Cotabato wherein the important provisions and information regarding Republic Act No.11596, also known as “An Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage and Imposing Penalties,” and Republic Act No.11930 or the “Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act.” DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2023-181: Guidelines on the Operationalization of the Local Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Their Children were discussed.
“Ang human trafficking ay ang ilegal na pagkalakal ng tao upang pagsamantalahan, sa paraang sekswal o sapilitang paggawa, pati na rin upang ikalakal ang laman-loob nito. Habang ang VAWC naman ay tumutukoy sa anumang gawain na maaaring magdulot ng pisikal, sekswal o sikolohikal na pinsala, o kaya naman ekonomik na pang-aabuso kabilang ang mga banta ng pambubugbog, panggagahasa, pamimilit, pangha-harass, o hindi makatwirang pagkait sa kalayaan ng kahit sinong babae,” Mendoza said.
Mendoza is also hopeful that through the aforementioned activity, PIACAT-VAWC will be able to strengthen and improve the implementation and management of the enforced laws related to R.A.11596 and R.A.11930 that protect the overall welfare of women and youth.
