At conclusion of two-year project

Samar stands ready to combat human trafficking

Press Release
By IJM
December 2, 2010

International Justice Mission-led project markedly increases local capacity to address trafficking in province

MANILA  –  International Justice Mission (IJM) concluded a successful two-year anti-trafficking project on Samar Island. Using a community-based approach for this U.S. government-funded project, IJM trained more than a thousand local government officials and equipped local citizens to continue an effective fight against human trafficking on the island. The project focused on six local government units (LGUs) in the province of Samar (also known as Western Samar) – Calbayog City, the Provincial capital of Catbalogan, and the towns of Daram, Gandara, San Jorge, and Santa Margarita.

“With thousands of individuals – from government officials to citizens – trained in effective responses to human trafficking cases, and 70 barangays mobilized to take key roles at the grassroots level, we believe the legacy of this project will literally be lives saved as communities protect vulnerable girls and women from the horrors of human trafficking,” said IJM Philippines National Director Andrey Sawchenko.

Over the past two years, IJM has trained more than 1200 government employees responsible for addressing human trafficking in the six LGUs, including 1150 barangay officials, judges, court personnel, police officers, and social workers.  The training focused specifically on the Philippine anti-trafficking law, R.A. 9208, and on trainees’ roles for preventing trafficking and protecting the rights of its victims effectively.

To raise public awareness of trafficking and the law, IJM provided additional training and information to another 3500 citizens, including members of women’s groups and churches. IJM also launched a massive information campaign through media interviews, flyers, and advertisements on local transportation. With support from IJM, 70 of the LGUs’ barangays have organized and adopted action plans for the Barangay Councils for the Protection of Children (BCPCs), local councils tasked by law with ensuring the protection of their children.

U.S. Ambassador Harry Thomas praised the project’s efforts, noting that “The U.S. State Department, through the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, has been proud to support the fight against human trafficking in Samar through our funding for the Anti-Human Trafficking Project of the International Justice Mission’s Samar Satellite Office, and we know that LGUs’ dedication to this cause will ensure the project’s legacy.”

IJM also assisted Calbayog City Council in drafting an ordinance, passed on November 22, 2010, that directs city resources to monitor the transportation of minors in and out of the city and to develop better techniques for investigating and interdicting trafficking. IJM joined forces with the Local Government Unit of Calbayog in renovating its Crisis Response Center for Women and Children (CRESCENT), a safe shelter where trafficking victims may receive counseling and support criminal cases against traffickers. IJM funded materials and supervised the center’s renovation; the city showed very significant support through the provision of manpower.

Calbayog City district public attorney Jennylyn D. Sumagang-Durmiendo praised the Samar project: “Through the project, IJM and its partners – the LGUs of the five municipalities and one city, other non-government organizations, civic groups, private institutions and academic institutions – have greatly strengthened the local ability to fight trafficking in persons in the province of Samar,” she said. IJM carried out most of the work from a two year satellite office in Calbayog City established for the project. IJM’s Samar Satellite Office will conduct its closing ceremonies on December 2. The event will include a turn-over of the CRESCENT to Calbayog City.