The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) supports the newly passed Republic Act No. 10906 or An Act Providing Stronger Measures Against Unlawful Practices, Businesses and Schemes of Matching and Offering Filipinos to Foreign Nationals for Purposes of Marriage or Common Law Partnership, Repealing for the Purpose Republic Act 6955, also referred to as the Anti-Mail Order Bride.

Otherwise known as Anti-Mail Spouse Act, the law aims to prevent the exposure of Filipinos to abuse, exploitation, prostitution and violent situations. It takes into consideration the emerging forms of technology, which facilitate matching.

The term “spouse” was used to acknowledge that both men and women are also subjected to matching and are in need of the law’s equal protection.

DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo explained,  “Under the new law, DSWD is mandated to implement preventive, protective and rehabilitative programs for victims.  Furthermore, the Department shall provide basic services to victims such as temporary shelter for housing and food; psychological support and counseling; 24- hour call center for crisis calls; and, legal assistance in coordination with law enforcement entities and the Department of Justice.”

The Department is also tasked to coordinate with the local government units (LGUs) in the provision of case management service and development of a system for accreditation among non-government organizations for the purposes of establishing centers and programs in various levels of the community.

“This law comes at an opportune time when the Duterte Administration is determined to put a stop to human trafficking. The measure will add more teeth to the government’s efforts versus trafficking. At the same time, it gives genuine compassion to our citizenry by preventing them from falling into the trap of unscrupulous individuals who lure the poor with false promises of a good life in foreign land,” Sec. Taguiwalo said. ###