SP INSTITUTIONALIZES ANTI-TRAFFICKING POLICIES IN LA UNION
By: Jiroh Joy D. Marbella, GPC – SP | Photos By: GPC – SP | Date: August 17, 2021
Committed to uphold the value, protect the dignity, and guarantee respect for each individual rights, the 22nd Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of La Union passed the "Anti-Trafficking in Persons Ordinance of the Province of La Union″ during its 112th Regular Session on August 17, 2021.
Philippine Councilors League – La Union Chapter President and Ex-Officio SP Member Maria Rosario Eufrosina “Chary” P. Nisce authored SP Ordinance No. 323-2021. She expounded, “This policy shall give highest priority to the enactment of measures and development programs that will promote human dignity, protect the people from any threat of violence and exploitation, eliminate trafficking in persons, and mitigate pressures for involuntary migration and servitude of persons.” She further added that this piece of legislation will not only support trafficked persons but shall help in ensuring their recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration into the mainstream of society considering that trafficking in persons is a crime against humanity as emphatically stressed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
Violators of the provisions of the said ordinance, especially Sections 4-10 shall be penalized by a fine of Php 5,000.00 or imprisonment not exceeding one year or both at the discretion of the court. The same penalties shall be imposed as sanction for establishments which promote, facilitate or conduct activities constituting trafficking and all forms of abuse to persons in the Province of La Union.
Some of the cited prohibited acts of trafficking as mentioned in Section 4 of the ordinance include, the act to recruit or receive a person by any means for the purpose of prostitution, pornography, or sexual exploitation; to introduce or match for money any Filipino woman to a foreign national for the purpose of prostitution, pornography, sexual exploitation, forced labor, involuntary servitude or debt bondage; to offer contract marriage for the purpose of prostitution and other related acts; and to undertake or organize sex tourism activities; Likewise, all who knowingly aids, abets and cooperates in the execution of any prohibited acts mentioned in the ordinance shall be punished under Section 6 which is the accomplice liability, while those who has the knowledge of commission of the mentioned acts but did not participate shall be considered accessories or accomplices. Also prohibited under the ordinance are the acts that promote trafficking in persons through establishments, printed documents, and broadcast materials and other related methods.
The ordinance likewise mandates the creation of the Local Committee Against Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Children in the Province and the component Local Government Units of La Union which will be the primary implementers of the provisions of the said ordinance.
Furthermore, stated in Section 16 of the ordinance are the Institutional Mechanisms to help in addressing the problem of trafficking in persons in the province, such as the establishment of a Gender-based Violence Hotline, Creation of a Response Mechanism and protocol in handling cases related to Trafficking in all forms of Gender-based Violence and Violence Against women and children, Anti-trafficking in Persons Database, Anti-Trafficking Laws Orientation for Business Owners and Employees, No Minor admittance policy, Establishment of Post Notices and Information at Entry or Frond Desks regarding Anti-Trafficking Protection, Development of a comprehensive Rehabilitation and Reintegration Program for Anti-Trafficking Victims/Survivors and the introduction of the “Safe Space” Seal.
The Implementing Rules and Regulations of the said ordinance is set to be formulated through the Office of the Governor and the concerned offices for a more effective implementation of the same.
