The Department of Social Welfare and Development lauds the Philippine Senate for passing into law the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act. President Benigno S. Aquino III has signed Republic Act (RA) 10364 otherwise known as “An Act Expanding RA 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act,” into law on February 6, 2013.

RA 10364 includes, among others, the establishment of free legal assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), which will be in charge of providing temporary shelters to Filipino victims of trafficking overseas.

According to Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, RA 10364 is “the product of the hard work of everyone,  from the Congress to the Senate and all the agencies involved including the civil society groups  and champions of the anti-human trafficking who worked side by side with the government’s anti – trafficking campaign.”

The members of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) also exerted effort in crafting the amendments to include measures that would also protect law enforcement officers and social workers from harassment suits for lawful acts done in good faith during authorized rescue operations, investigation, or prosecution of a case.

“We are relieved that social workers who play a vital role in the recovery and healing of trafficked victims, will now be protected. In the fight against human traffickers, social workers actually endanger themselves.  They realize the risks that they face when dealing with illegal recruitment and trafficking syndicates, but nonetheless perform their jobs to protect and help the victims recover,” Secretary Soliman stated.

The IACAT is strengthening its partnerships with local government units, non-government organizations (NGOs), and other entities in connection with the government’s anti-trafficking campaign.

The IACAT is composed of the heads of the Departments of Justice, Social Welfare and Development, Interior and Local Government, Foreign Affairs , Labor and Employment, other government agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs) representing women, OFWs and children.

“I am enjoining everyone to actively participate in the crafting of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 10364,” Secretary Soliman stated.  ###