The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Sunday urged the government to strengthen the implementation of anti-trafficking policies as the country marked the National Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking (NDPAHT).
In a statement, Puerto Princesa Apostolic Vicar Bishop Socrates Mesiona said public policy and governance must prioritize the protection of human dignity amid persistent cases of human trafficking.
Mesiona, who chairs the CBCP Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, called on government institutions to intensify enforcement of anti-trafficking laws, improve inter-agency coordination, protect victims, regulate recruitment systems, and address the root causes of trafficking.
He said NDPAHT serves as a shared national call that encourages cooperation between the Church and the government, as well as dialogue, accountability, and coordinated action.
Mesiona noted that many Filipinos remain vulnerable to trafficking due to false promises of employment, compounded by poverty, inequality, limited access to education, armed conflict, natural disasters, and the misuse of digital platforms.
The bishop emphasized that prayer should lead to concrete action, adding that awareness must move toward protecting the vulnerable and restoring human dignity. He urged the Catholic Church in the Philippines to engage in pastoral initiatives, including forums and seminars.
He also called on parishes to serve as spaces of vigilance by integrating human trafficking awareness into catechesis, youth formation, and family life, while encouraging the faithful to support victims without judgment.
Observed every first Sunday of February, NDPAHT is linked to the International Day of Prayer on February 8, the feast of St. Josephine Bakhita, the patron saint of trafficking victims.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “CBCP appeals for better enforcement of anti-trafficking laws”
