City approves ordinance vs. human trafficking

Cebu City now has its own implementing ordinance enforcing the provisions of the national law on human trafficking.

The Cebu City Council approved on its third and final reading the ordinance implementing the provisions of Republic Act 9208 or the “Cebu City Anti-Trafficking in Persons Ordinance”.

The ordinance, authored by Committee on Family and Women head councilor Lea Ouano-Japson, now formalizes the creation of the Cebu City Inter Agency Council Against Trafficking which will address the said problem.

This after studies and monitoring national agencies identified Cebu City as a source, transit point and destination of trafficked persons.

Under the ordinance, the CCIACAT is mandated to monitor and document cases of trafficking in persons within the City and its linkages.

Included in the monitoring are reports from the barangay level and also from the City Health Office in their conduct of the Sexually Transmitted Diseases and hygiene examinations which may point to probable cases of trafficking in persons for purposes of sexual exploitation.

Should there be any report of a suspected case of trafficking, the case should be investigated within 48 hours and a report should be immediately submitted to the Cebu City Commission for the Welfare and Protection of Children.

The agency is also authorized to conduct inspection of houses, buildings and other establishments reportedly used for trafficking activities.

Cancellation of licenses of establishments engaged in trafficking activities is likewise included in the said ordinance.

The ordinance also formed a task force that will concentrate solely on prosecution of trafficking cases, which is considered a problem among implementing agencies.

Trafficking in persons refers to the recruitment, transportation, receipt of persons, with or without the victim’s consent, with the use of force, deception, abuse of power, fraud, for the purpose of exploitation for prostitution, forced labor, sexual exploitation, slavery, including the removal and sale of human organs. — Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP (THE FREEMAN)