“Tama na!” (It’s over!) Their time is up,! United States (U.S.) Ambassador to the Philippines, Harry Tomas, Jr. pointed out loud on the human trafficking issue that is happening in the country, during a recent meeting at The Oriental Leyte Hotel in Baras, Palo, Leyte.

Speaking before representatives of member-entities of the Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Trafficking – Violence Against Women and Children (RIACAT-VAWC) and the Regional Task Force on Human Trafficking (RTFHT), the U.S. diplomat said that he has been hearing stories on this problem, since his coming over to the Philippines three years back. He said the problem stems from poverty and ignorance.

The Ambassador further emphasized that “not every parent is a good parent,” and described the “look of death among the faces of children” who have been victims of the trade.

The U.S. Government, through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), is extending help to the region via rehabilitating a road network ( the Wright-Taft-Borongan-Guiuan Road in Western and Eastern Samar) covering 15 municipalities and 144 barangays. At the same time, it intends to create a trafficking – free environment in said areas.

The MCC is “an innovative and independent U.S. foreign aid agency that is helping lead the fight against global poverty. MCC forms partnerships with some of the world’s poorest countries, but only those committed to good governance, economic freedom and investments in their citizens.

“The primary objective of the project, dubbed as the Secondary National Roads Development Project (SNRDP), is to help improve the living conditions of the people of Samar. With more accessible and safer roads, people will have more socio-economic opportunities because of reduced transport time and cost.”

It is for this reason that the official, together with the accountable entity – the Millennium Challenge Account – Philippines (MCA-P), entered into a memorandum of agreement with the DSWD through its Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP). The DSWD sits as chair of the 14 – member – agencies of the RIACAT-VAWC.

Said DSWD Field Office Eight Director Remia Tapispisan, the inter-agency council supports the said Anti-Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Community Outreach of the MCC/MCA-P/PACT (Philippines Against Trafficking in Persons) – another partner, and is even implementing an Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign in the areas covered by the DSWD ‘s Kapit-Bisig Laban Sa Kahirapan : Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services : Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay (KALAHI-CIDSS : KKB) – a community driven development program of the agency.

The RIACAT-VAWC is, likewise continuously conducting advocacy activities on the anti-TIP law ( Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003) on the prevention aspect. On the other hand, it has established a Regional Referral System resulting to efficient provision of services to victims – survivors.

Other noteworthy accomplishments is the Capability Building activities for service providers – Police Officers, Social Workers, Health Personnel and RIACAT members, namely : Gender Sensitivity Training; Training on Psychosocial Recovery, Social & Economic Reintegration of Trafficked Persons; and Training on the Conduct of Rescue and Investigation of TIP cases.