DSWD vows to continue fight against human trafficking

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to pursue its campaign against human trafficking through a cinema plug titled “Iligtas Mo Ako” that started airing last Friday.

The plug was aired during a block-off screening of the “Man of Steel” movie at the Trinoma Mall in Quezon City.

It will run for six months in various theaters nationwide, the DSWD said.

The “Iligtas Mo Ako” cinema plug, which features sexual and labor trafficking, aims to present to the moviegoers the dire effects of human trafficking.

The plug also appeals to the audience to help stop human trafficking.

DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman stressed that human trafficking is a rampant problem in many municipalities.

“The deception, illegal transfer, and abuse of Filipinos simply looking for better opportunities in the city and abroad are realities that we cannot ignore. We have to find more ways to prevent it from recurring,” Soliman said.

She called on the public to report any information on human trafficking to the DSWD hotline number (02) 931-9141 or call the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) Action Line 1343.

The DSWD has tied up with IACAT in the campaign against human trafficking.

Around 300 IACAT members from government agencies, non-government organizations, media partners, and civil society attended the screening of the DSWD plug.

According to DSWD 2012 data, there were 1,376 victims of human trafficking nationwide.

The DSWD’s Recovery and Reintegration Programs for Trafficked Persons provided victims with adequate recovery and reintegration services.

The IACAT, meanwhile, reported that 1,519 cases of human trafficking were filed in 2011.

Last year, Republic Act 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act was enacted for a stronger anti-human trafficking measure, amending Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Human Trafficking in Persons Act.