IACAT 7- VAWC

🌟 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝟕! 🌟

In observance of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2026, the IACAT7-VAWC is once again launching the 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔! 💙

We are on a search for outstanding private sectors and companies across Central Visayas that have actively stood up, implemented policies, and contributed to the elimination of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).

𝑰𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒛𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒘, 𝒘𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒅𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏!

📲 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞: Scan the QR code in the image to download the official application form.

Complete the form and gather your supporting documents based on the criteria.

Email your submission to 📩 [email protected]

📅 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐔𝐁𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒: July 5, 2026

Let’s continue to work together to protect the vulnerable and end human trafficking. Tag a deserving business or organization below! 👇

𝗛𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶 𝗹𝗮𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗸 𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗯𝗮’𝘆 𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴.

Sa isang iglap, ang pangakong magandang kinabukasan ay maaaring mauwi sa
pagkasangkot sa digmaan, pang-aabuso, at pagkawala ng buhay.
Hindi matutumbasan ng pera ang iyong hininga. Huwag mong ialay ang buhay mo sa giyera.

Manindigan. Tumanggi. Magsumbong.
Ang buhay ay hindi isinusugal—ito ay ipinaglalaban at pinoprotektahan.

Kung may kahina-hinalang alok, tumawag sa 𝟭𝟯𝟰𝟯 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴.

I-dial ang 1343 kung kayo ay nasa Metro Manila, o (𝟬𝟮) 𝟭𝟯𝟰𝟯 kung nasa labas ng Metro Manila.

𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊 👀| Our council members from the Department of Justice, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Tourism, PNP-Women and Children Protection Center-Visayas Field Unit, Bidlisiw Foundation Inc., and Children's Legal Bureau met last 22 April 2026 to discuss the 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐓𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬. This initiative marks a decisive step toward ensuring that the beauty of our region is matched by the safety of its visitors and the protection of its most vulnerable.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭?

The Regional Zero Tolerance Policy is designed to institutionalize strict safeguards within the tourism sector. By moving beyond reactive measures, we are building a proactive shield against Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).

From hotels and resorts to short-term rentals, this policy ensures that every accommodation provider is an active partner in the fight against exploitation.

The work doesn't stop here! The core group is committed to further enhancing this policy by engaging key stakeholders at the regional level. We are refining the framework to ensure it is not only robust but also practical for our tourism partners to implement.

Together, we are building a tourism industry that is safe, ethical, and world-class.

𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗: 𝗣𝗖𝗪 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀:
𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗩𝗔𝗪 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗔𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆

While government agencies implement energy conservation measures, essential services for women and girls must proceed without interruption, the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) advises government entities.

In Advisory No. 2026-001, the PCW outlined critical Gender and Development (GAD) programs that must be protected from reduction or deprioritization during the energy crisis. Agencies must maintain the continuous operation of life-saving interventions, including Violence Against Women (VAW) desk operations, case management, legal and psychosocial support, and maternal and reproductive health services. The PCW warns that disrupting these mandated services could expose victims to further harm and result in adverse health outcomes.

Read full statement here: https://bit.ly/20260418PCW

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 | On April 15–16, 2026, the Technical Working Group for Law Enforcement and Prosecution reconvened with council members from various law enforcement agencies, national government offices, and NGOs under IACAT7-VAWC.

Presided by Assistant Regional Prosecutor and Member of the DOJ-Regional Anti-Child Online Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking Task Force, Pros. Maria Luisa Ong, the TWG Meeting tackled different issues and concerns in relation to the prevention and response to Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).

The TWG Meeting focused on the updates of the rescue operations conducted in CY 2025 until 1st quarter of 2026. Issues and concerns in relation to the rescue operations and case handling of OSAEC victims were discussed by the different council members present.

Additionally, the group reconvened to analyze how the council might replicate Region 8’s protocols for handling OSAEC cases, which will serve as the foundation for Region 7’s own regional protocols for managing TIP and OSAEC.

𝗚𝗔𝗗𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀, 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝘂𝗽!

Join us on 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬, 𝟵:𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗠, 𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 for the Report Back on the Philippines’ participation in the 70th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70).

Held from March 9–20, CSW is the UN’s largest annual gathering on gender equality and women’s empowerment, with this year’s theme centered on advancing access to justice for all women and girls and addressing structural barriers to gender equality.

In this report back, the Philippine Delegation will share key interventions made during the Session, highlights of side events, their impact on Filipino women, and ways to support the implementation and monitoring of the Agreed Conclusions, the main outcome document of the Session.

𝗕𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

𝗚𝗔𝗗𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀, 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝘂𝗽!

Join us on 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬, 𝟵:𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗠, 𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 for the Report Back on the Philippines’ participation in the 70th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70).

Held from March 9–20, CSW is the UN’s largest annual gathering on gender equality and women’s empowerment, with this year’s theme centered on advancing access to justice for all women and girls and addressing structural barriers to gender equality.

In this report back, the Philippine Delegation will share key interventions made during the Session, highlights of side events, their impact on Filipino women, and ways to support the implementation and monitoring of the Agreed Conclusions, the main outcome document of the Session.

𝗕𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) is again warning the public against sophisticated syndicates that are luring Filipinos with promises of jobs abroad, only to forcibly conscript them into foreign military service.

Anti-trafficking authorities released the joint advisory following an emergency case conference triggered by a specific complaint of Filipinos being trafficked under false pretenses.

According to reports from the 1343 Actionline, the IACAT’s primary human trafficking hotline, victims were originally recruited for work, and upon arrival at their undisclosed foreign destinations, their employment contracts were substituted, and they were compelled to serve in foreign militaries.

Read the full article: https://cfo.gov.ph/News-Press-Releases-Detail/26608

𝐈𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐓 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐣𝐨𝐛-𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐝𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲

The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) is again warning the public against sophisticated syndicates that are luring Filipinos with promises of jobs abroad, only to forcibly conscript them into foreign military service.

Anti-trafficking authorities released the joint advisory following an emergency case conference triggered by a specific complaint of Filipinos being trafficked under false pretenses.

According to reports from the 1343 Actionline, the IACAT’s primary human trafficking hotline, victims were originally recruited for work, and upon arrival at their undisclosed foreign destinations, their employment contracts were substituted, and they were compelled to serve in foreign militaries.

Read the full article: https://cfo.gov.ph/News-Press-Releases-Detail/26608