MikeLigalig.com

By Perfecto Raymundo

The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking and the Philippine Ports Authority have strengthened their partnership against human trafficking in the country with the signing of a memorandum of agreement.

Under the MOA, the PPA will provide logistical support for the nationwide anti-trafficking information in its various seaports and passenger terminal buildings.

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima, chairperson of IACAT, and Atty. Juan C. Sta. Ana, general manager of PPA, signed the MOA at the Executive Lounge of the DOJ Tuesday.

The MOA between the IACAT and the PPA is in line with Section 21 (e) of Republic Act No. 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

The law mandates IACAT to conduct massive information dissemination and campaign on the existence of the law and the various issues and problems attendant to trafficking through the local government units, concerned agencies and non-governmental organizations.

"This is not just a Memorandum of Agreement. This is a joint declaration of war…and the enemy is ignorance," De Lima said in her message.

She underscored the "strategic advantage" of creating a partnership with the PPA when it comes to conquering ignorance among the most vulnerable sectors of society.

The salient features of the MOA include increasing the awareness of ship passengers on the dangers and issues of human trafficking.

This is primarily done by the installation of flat screen televisions for the viewing of anti-human trafficking materials provided by IACAT and its member agencies.

"This partnership with the PPA is one of the more recent anti-trafficking gains achieved by this administration," DOJ Undersecretary Jose Vicente Salazar, in-charge of IACAT, said as he welcomed the representatives of the PPA.

"By creating a strong partnership with PPA, the IACAT shall also do its part in cracking down on the human trafficking syndicates that prey on our countrymen," Salazar added.

Also present during the MOA signing were members of the Manila Harbor Task Force Anti-Trafficking, Gender and Development Department of the PPA and executive officers of the IACAT Secretariat.

Earlier this month, the proposed law amending and thereby strengthening the existing anti-human trafficking legislation reached its third and final reading in the Senate.

Previous reports also highlighted the 100th person convicted of human trafficking since the law came to pass.

Seventy of the convictions happened during the Aquino administration, particularly from July 2010 to October 2012 alone.

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