DSWD Policy and Plans Division Chief, Yvonne Abonales, recently sat down in a press conference to present the mounting accomplishments of the Eastern Visayas Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Trafficking/Child Pornography -Violence Against Women and Children (RIACAT/CP-VAWC).

Said media gathering was jointly undertaken by the Philippine Information Agency, one of the members of the Committee. Abonales represented DSWD Regional Director, Restituto Macuto, who is chairperson of the inter-agency committee.

“Continuous conduct of advocacy campaigns to academe, various community structures (youth, women, children), provincial, city and municipal officials, barangay chairmen and members of the Barangay Local Government Units through coordination meetings, and orientations on the salient features of the welfare laws and other pertinent policies against Trafficking in Persons, Child Pornography, and Violence Against Women and Children,” are among the achievements of the first semester of this year.

She also cited forging partnerships with community groups (PAG-ASA Youth Association of the Philippines and women groups) and NGOs as well as enjoining local government units to issue social welfare ordinances in relation to anti-human trafficking, child pornography and violence against women and children.

Abonales also mentioned that the Committee has also established an ATIP (Anti-Trafficking in Persons) Help Desk at the Tacloban DZR Airport and at theNew Bus Terminal. These desks are being manned by the PNP – AVSEU, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and the City Government of Tacloban.

Also operational is the regional ATIP Hotline 0927-592-9416. Concerned citizens can just call or text this number should there be cases of trafficking. It was also reported that the DSWD strictly enforces the issuance of travel clearance for minors travelling abroad who are unaccompanied by their parent/parents. The objective is to ensure safety and security of the child, Abonales pointed out. #DSWDMayMalasakit