Capacity building sessions vs. trafficking in persons, violence against women, children set July 19

More than 100 advocates and government employees, who are working to address trafficking in persons and violence against women and children, will undergo capacity building sessions tomorrow, July 19, at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City.

The activity will cap with a message of Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, chair of the Provincial Committee Against Trafficking, Child Pornography and Violence Against Women, and a symbolic commitment ritual to protect Negrense children and women against human trafficking and other forms of abuse.

According to Merle Garcia of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, the event will be attended by focal persons of Local CAT-VAWCs, presidents of Barangay VAW Desk Officers associations, and chairs of Local Women’s Councils from various cities and municipalities of the province.

Garcia said tomorrow’s sessions are build up activities for the World Day Against Trafficking and Blue Hearts campaign on July 30.

Speakers for tomorrow morning includes Dionela Flores-Madrona, the Social Welfare and Development Officer of Talisay, and a member of the Philippine Against Child Trafficking, who will share “Facts and Figures on Human Trafficking” and their experiences in helping victims.

Atty. Andrea Lizares-Si, chair of the Provincial Council for Women will discuss R.A. 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012, and R.A. 11862, the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022.

After lunch, William De Arca, Jr., Agent III, of the National Bureau of Investigation – Bacolod District Office, will tackle R.A. 10175 or “The Cyber Crime Prevention Act of 2012“ .

A forum after the presentations will be moderated by PCAT-CP-VAWC member Salvacion Barrios, president of the OFW Negros Occidental Federation, Inc.

The activity evaluation and consultation on TIP advocacy and actions will be facilitated by Naty Bayona of PSWDO, who added that the Province will hold its Observance of the WDAT on July 27 with various activities and contests, in line with the theme of “Use and Abuse of Technology.”

The organizers have invited AJ Suplico Frondoza of Bago City, who was named the “100th Million Pinoy” of Negros Occidental, and junior girl scout Godrich Malisua, during the symbolic commitment ritual to protect Negrense women and children from human trafficking and abuse.* (PPR)