MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City local government has passed an ordinance that will establish a council to oversee the implementation of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.
In a statement on Thursday, the local government unit (LGU) said Mayor Joy Belmonte signed Ordinance No. 2999 S-2020 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Ordinance Act that seeks to “address the problem of trafficking in persons, especially women and children, at the local level through policies and programs to prevent, protect and rehabilitate trafficked persons.”
This ordinance mandates the creation of the Quezon City Council on Anti-Trafficking (QCCAT), which will serve as the city government’s primary arm to ensure that Republic Act 10364 is implemented in the city.
The Quezon City mayor and vice mayor will serve as QCCAT chairperson and co-chairperson, respectively, while the head of the city’s Social Services Development Department (SSDD) will be the council vice-chairperson, the LGU said.
Aside from the council, a QC Joint Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons (QJTFATP) will be established “to coordinate all efforts in the conduct of surveillance, investigation and rescue operations of trafficking cases,” the LGU added.
The joint task force will closely collaborate with the QCCAT in the formulation of plans and programs for the prevention and reduction of trafficking in persons, according to the LGU.
It will also closely collaborate with the QCCAT in the formulation of plans and programs for the prevention and/or reduction of trafficking in persons.
“Sa pagdiriwang natin ng Buwan ng Kababaihan, mahalagang mapagtuunan natin ng pansin ang kanilang kapakanan, kalusugan at kaligtasan,” Belmonte said on the signing of the ordinance, as it coincides with the celebration of National Women’s Month in March.
(In celebration of National Women’s Month, it’s only right to give importance to the health, welfare and safety of women.)
“Through this, we hope to strengthen the city government’s various efforts to combat trafficking in persons, which victimizes mostly women, and to provide needed assistance to the victims,” she added.