AMID alarming proliferation of human trafficking that shatters many lives, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) conducted a forum Tuesday, September 28, in a bid to strengthen its awareness campaign.
The forum was dubbed as Victim-Centered Counter-Trafficking Project: End-of-project partners' meeting.
"Nag workshop kami kasi moving forward para kung ano yong next. Kahapon [Monday] ang pinag-usapan, ano yong looking back kung ano yong nadevelop na projects at operation na nakatulong sa kanila sa iba-ibang aspect kaya merong partnership, prevention protection kaya iba-ibang dimension siya," Romina Sta. Clara of IOM said in an interview with SunStar Davao on Wednesday at Marco Polo Hotel, Davao City.
Sta. Clara said they are focusing on programs that prove to be effective and planned implementation strategy to address and counter trafficking in person (Tip) cases through the use of social media.
"We have started the message development at nag survey din kami sa Mindanao," Sta. Clara said, adding they are analyzing results for a possible roadshow of their campaign.
IOM also conducted a workshop in Maguindanao to spread their advocacy and promote information education campaign.
Sta. Clara said they created this activity because there are more Filipinos being trafficked and exploited.
This is also their way to demonstrate their support to President Rodrigo Duterte's thrust in combating human trafficking in the country.
Philippines, as next year's Association of Southeast Asian Nation (Asean) Summmit chair, will also host the Asean convention against trafficking in persons.
Sta. Clara said they have seen improvements in their campaign as many concerned citizens were reporting incidents that makes their means of information dissemination effective.
"If you look at global reports, nag-i-improve din yong standing natin kasi mas marami ang natutulungan," Sta. Clara said.
The forum aimed to provide access to referral channels, strengthen capacity of law enforcement offices and services providers, direct assistance to trafficking victims.
As of June 2016, their awareness raising campaign reached 100,413, and they were able to assist 79 beneficiaries and service providers.
The organization were able to train 757 volunteers.
Based on the National Inter-Agency against Trafficking (Iacat) report, the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (Armm) was identified as one of the country's primary sources of victims of local and international Tip.
From January to August 2012, of the 1,470 repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), 822 are from Mindanao and 605 from Armm.
"We're here actually because this is part of our work for counter-trafficking with Iacat," Sta. Clara said.
IOM’s role is to assisting Filipino trafficking victims as well as trafficked in countries in conflict.
One focus of their projects was raising awareness through the national help line 1343 plus other local hotlines that could provide assistance to potential victims of trafficking and exploitation.
The organization also launched a photo exhibit on the same day, which they called "Deep Scars", wherein Typhoon Yolanda victims' stories where featured after being duped by domestic and international trafficking syndicates.