US gives P3.8 million for human trafficking

PALO, Leyte – The United States government is granting P3.8 million to a partner non-government organization in curbing child trafficking in 15 municipalities of Samar and Eastern Samar covered by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)-funded road project.

US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas and Marivic Anonuevo, managing director and chief executive officer of Millennium Challenge Account Philippine, signed a memorandum of agreement with Manila-based Philippines Against Child Trafficking (Pact) that will be their partner anti-trafficking drive.

“We need to work together to stop trafficking. Think about the look of death on these boys and girls because of how they are being abused by fellow Filipinos, Americans, and global citizens,” Thomas said during the signing at the Oriental Leyte Hotel Saturday morning.

“Child trafficking happens because of poverty, corruption, and greed. We think that parents and relative are good but they’re not,” Thomas said noting that this problem thrives because of tolerance of family members.

The initiative, according to Anonuevo, reinforces the MCC’s policy of zero tolerance to trafficking in persons where the US-funded project is being implemented.

The nine-month program will concentrate on developing communication strategy, information and education materials, training community educators tasked to conduct village level development sessions, and crisis management.

“Our first job is to assess the situation in those areas. We will also develop sustainability plans for the program to go on after the project,” said PACT national coordinator Salome Ujano.

The anti trafficking in persons program will cover 151 barangays in Paranas in Samar; Taft, Sulat, San Julian, Borongan City, Maydolong, Balangkayan, Llorente, Hernani, Gen. Macarthur, Quinapondan, Salcedo, Mercedes and Guiuan in Eastern Samar.

These areas are located within the 222-kilometer road that is now being upgraded through a $214.44-million grant from US government. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)