The Department of Justice (DOJ), as lead agency of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), on Thursday launched the Barangay IACAT 2.0 Program in its bid to intensify the country’s campaign to end all forms of modern-day slavery.
“The crusade to eradicate human trafficking starts with us, within the solitude of our own homes and communities. Through our unity, collective efforts and shared wisdom, we become the most formidable foes whom human predators shall never defeat,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said.
The three-day program aims to inform, empower, and engage communities to join the fight against human trafficking.
It intends to utilize a community-based approach in fighting Trafficking-in-Persons (TIP), educating local officials and citizens on how to prevent or respond to human trafficking situations prevalent within their communities.
Video presentations, lectures, roundtable question and answer sessions, fellowship gatherings, motorcades, and other learning activities, among others will be utilized.
This is part of the constant efforts by the government to combat human traffickers and online sexual abuse or exploitation of children (OSAEC).
The Philippines has retained its Tier 1 status for the ninth consecutive year in the US State Department’s TIP report.
