ILOILO – The Iloilo provincial government has stepped up its campaign against human trafficking by launching a pilot community-based assessment in Oton, making the municipality the testing ground for a provincewide strategy aimed at strengthening frontline response and victim protection at the grassroots level.
As part of the observance of the 2026 National Anti-Trafficking in Persons Awareness Month, the Provincial Council Against Trafficking and Violence Against Women and their Children (PCAT-VAWC) conducted a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on July 29, a day before the observance of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
The activity gathered barangay officials, women’s groups, law enforcement agencies, and local government offices to identify the challenges, gaps, and best practices in addressing trafficking in persons and violence against women and children (VAWC) cases at the community level. The findings will serve as the basis for improving provincial policies, programs, and intervention mechanisms.
This year’s observance carries the theme: “Iisang Nasyon, Iisang Aksyon: Tapusing ang Human Trafficking Ngayon!”
Participating in the discussion were five punong barangays, five Barangay VAWC Desk Officers, and five officers of the Oton Women Association, Inc. (KALIPI).
Representatives from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, Municipal Health Office, and the Philippine National Police-Women and Children Protection Desk also joined the dialogue.
Supporting agencies included the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), Provincial Planning and Development Office-Gender and Development Unit, Provincial Inter-Agency Committee Against Human Trafficking-Oton, the Office of Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Rolex Suplico, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Anti-Trafficking in Persons Network, Inc., Department of Social Welfare and Develop Field Office 6, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority – Iloilo Province, KALIPI, Iloilo Police Provincial Office-Women and Children Protection Desk, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Iloilo Province.
Before the FGD, members of the PCAT-VAWC paid a courtesy call on the Office of the Mayor of Oton, where Municipal Administrator Ma. Diadema Vigo, representing Mayor Sofronio L. Fusin Jr., welcomed the provincial delegation.
The Provincial Government of Iloilo, under Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., said it will continue strengthening collaboration with local government units and partner agencies to build safer and more resilient communities where the rights and welfare of women and children are protected./PN
