FOLLOWING the rescue of five boys in Compostela town, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes finds human trafficking in the province alarming.
“It’s not only in Mandaue, dili lang sad sa Cordova, para nako alarming na ni. Dili ta maghulat nga mas mu-grabe pa (Let’s not wait for this problem to worsen),” Cortes told Cebu Daily News.
“Bisan unsa kagamay ang problema angayan jud nang tagdon gani kay dili ta gusto ma-out of control ni nga situasyon (Even if the problem is minor, it’s better to address it at once as we don’t want the situation to spiral out of control)”.
The mayor directed the City Social Welfare Services headed by Violeta Cavada to subject the rescued children to stress debriefing before they are returned to the custody of their parents.
Cortes said even the parents and the community should be involved in helping children get back to their normal lives.
“Tungod sa kakuwang na sa close family ties, mao nani ang mga bata masaag ug makuyog ug laing grupo so kinahanglan nga ang mga ginikanan e-involve jud aning programa nato (Because of the lack of close family ties, these children hook up with groups and gangs that’s why we have to involve the parents in our program),” he said.
One measure that the mayor is pushing to help curb juvenile delinquency is the strict implementation of Ordinance 99/019 which imposes a curfew on minors.
The ordinance prohibits people below 18 years old from wandering around the city from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m
The issue will be discussed in the next meeting of City Peace and Order Council.
Cortes pointed out that parents play an important role in implementing the curfew ordinance since they should start looking for their children even before the night sets.
He said parents should practice having dinner with their children so they can bond and foster close family ties.
“It’s not enough to provide them with the financial needs kun dili ang value pud sa pamilya atong hatagan ug emphasis,” he said. /REPORTER Jucell Marie P. Cuyos