DSWD Undersecretary Mae Fae Ancheta-Templa beams as she raises with pride the Plaque of Recognition that was handed by Atty. Darlene R. Pajarito, Program Director of the Inter-Agency Council Against Human Trafficking (IACAT).

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) received an award from the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for its contributions in the anti-human trafficking campaign through its Recovery and Reintegration  Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP).

DSWD Undersecretary Mae Fae Ancheta-Templa accepted the recognition during the awarding ceremony last week dubbed as “Pasasalamat at Pagpupugay.”

The RRPTP provides a comprehensive package of services ranging from reporting to rehabilitation.

From 2011 to June 2016, the Department has served a total of 9,380 victims.

For the second quarter of 2016, RRPTP has served 362 clients, providing them with services ranging from temporary shelter, livelihood assistance, skills training, psycho-social counselling, transportation assistance, financial assistance, medical assistance, educational assistance and referral to other agencies.

In the first semester of 2016, the DSWD was able to serve 850 trafficked persons.

For this quarter, DSWD-Field Office IX served the highest number of clients with 95 TIP victim-survivors, followed by FO NCR with 87 and FO III with 57 clients.

In her message, Usec. Ancheta-Templa emphasized that the Duterte Administration is committed in the war against human traffickers and their recruiters who prey on the vulnerable like migrant workers.

She noted that human trafficking is recognized as a transnational crime because of its actual and potential effects across national borders.

The Undersecretary also noted that the Philippines continue to be highly affected by this heinous crime, being used as a source as well as a transit point.

Usec. Ancheta-Templa added that the recent Tier 1 ranking of the Philippines in the United States 2016 Global Trafficking in Persons (GTIP) Report is a major breakthrough in the fight against human trafficking.

She emphasized that the convergence of the efforts of the government and other stakeholders has mainly contributed to this milestone.

“We join all partners and other stakeholders in celebrating this milestone. Ituloy ang laban kontra trafficking (Continue the fight against human trafficking),” Usec. Ancheta-Templa said.

For 2017, RRTP targets to serve 2,000 victims of trafficking with an approved budget of P24,827,000,00, representing a 7% increase from the 2016 budget. #